Motor Pathway: An Overview
The motor pathway is a neural network that is responsible for controlling movement in the body. It is composed of several components that work together to allow voluntary and involuntary movements. This article will provide an overview of the motor pathway, including its components, structure, and function.
The motor pathway begins in the brain stem and consists of two parts: the upper motor neurons and the lower motor neurons. The upper motor neurons originate in the motor cortex and travel down the spinal cord. They terminate in the brain stem and spinal cord, where they synapse with the lower motor neurons. The lower motor neurons then go on to innervate the skeletal muscles.
The brain stem is composed of several regions that are important for motor control, such as the reticular formation, the cerebellum, and the substantia nigra. The reticular formation is responsible for regulating the activity of the upper motor neurons, while the cerebellum coordinates movement and posture. The substantia nigra is important in the regulation of voluntary movement.
The motor cortex is the primary control center for voluntary movement. It is located in the frontal lobe of the brain and is responsible for sending signals to the brain stem and spinal cord. The motor cortex contains several distinct areas that are involved in the control of different aspects of movement, such as the primary motor cortex, the premotor cortex, and the supplementary motor cortex.
The motor cortex sends signals down the spinal cord in the form of action potentials. These action potentials are transmitted through the upper motor neurons, which synapse with the lower motor neurons in the brain stem and spinal cord. The lower motor neurons then send signals to the skeletal muscles, which cause the desired movement.
The motor pathway is an essential component of the body’s motor control system. It allows for voluntary and involuntary movements, and its components work together to coordinate these movements. Understanding the structure and function of the motor pathway is important for understanding how the body controls movement.
References
Boon, M., Degroote, S., & Van Immerseel, T. (2018). Motor pathways: Anatomy, physiology, and clinical implications. Physiotherapy, 104(3), 351-360.
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Sanes, J.N., & Lichtman, J.W. (2015). The structure and function of the nervous system: An introduction to neuroscience. Academic Press.