Anatomy of Voluntary Movement

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Where do the cell bodies of lower motor neurons reside?

Posterior horn of spinal gray matter

Anterior horn of spinal gray matter (correct)

Anterior root ganglion

Posterior root ganglion

Which part of the brain is responsible for planning and coordination of voluntary movement?

Brainstem

Cerebellum (correct)

Occipital lobe

Basal nuclei

What is the function of local interneurons in the motor pathways?

Coordinate sensory information in the cerebrum

Pass messages from upper motor neurons to lower motor neurons (correct)

Initiate reflex arcs in the spinal cord

Directly innervate skeletal muscles

Which descending pathway involves the right and left lateral corticospinal tracts?

Lateral corticospinal tract Signup and view all the answers

What does ALS primarily involve in terms of neural degeneration?

Degeneration of lower motor neurons Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of upper motor neurons in voluntary movement?

Pass signals through spinal cord synapsing with local interneurons Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the spinal cord?

Conduction of sensory information and motor commands Signup and view all the answers

Which structural component of the spinal cord is responsible for integrating input and executing appropriate output?

Central pattern generators Signup and view all the answers

Where is the conus medullaris located?

At the L1 or L2 vertebra Signup and view all the answers

What specialized muscle fibers are mentioned in the text?

Intrafusal muscle fibers Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the spinal cord anchors to the coccyx?

Terminal filum Signup and view all the answers

Which type of neurons innervate the contractile poles of intrafusal muscle fibers?

Gamma-motor neurons Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of tracts in the central nervous system?

Bundles of axons for communication within the brain and spinal cord Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of lower motor neurons in the somatic motor output?

They release acetylcholine onto muscle fibers Signup and view all the answers

'Gray matter' in the spinal cord primarily consists of which structures?

Clusters of neuron cell bodies Signup and view all the answers

What are motor neuron pools?

Groups of lower motor neurons from anterior horn of spinal cord Signup and view all the answers

What type of neurons innervate intrafusal fibers and are part of specialized stretch receptors?

Gamma motor neurons Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the brain initiates movement decisions and sends messages to lower motor neurons?

Primary motor cortex Signup and view all the answers