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Prefrontal Cortex and Motor Pathways Anatomy

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Which area of the brain is responsible for cognitive functions like intellect, judgment, and planning of behavior?

Prefrontal cortex

Where do the subcortical afferents that connect with the prefrontal cortex mainly arise from?

Thalamus

Which motor neurons are responsible for directly innervating skeletal muscles?

Lower motor neurons

Where do the cell bodies of lower motor neurons originate from?

<p>Grey matter of the spinal cord</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which nucleus of the thalamus is involved in providing afferents to the prefrontal cortex?

<p>Ventral anterior nucleus</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which descending tract is among the most important for controlling movement and runs through the brainstem and spinal cord?

<p>Corticospinal tract</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which nucleus provides the principal subcortical input to premotor cortical regions?

<p>Ventral anterior nucleus of the thalamus</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of corticospinal and corticobulbar fibres originate in the premotor cortex?

<p>~30%</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which region lies immediately in front of the premotor cortex and controls voluntary conjugate deviation of the eyes?

<p>Frontal eye field</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where is the motor speech area (Broca's area) typically located?

<p>Inferior frontal gyrus</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which area is involved in the programming of and preparation for movement?

<p>Premotor cortex</p> Signup and view all the answers

Through which fibers does the premotor cortex exert some of its actions towards the primary motor cortex?

<p>Short association fibers</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which region of the brain is functionally known as the primary motor cortex?

<p>Precentral gyrus</p> Signup and view all the answers

Stimulation of the primary motor cortex elicits contraction of muscle groups on which side of the body?

<p>Same side</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of corticospinal and corticobulbar fibers arise from neurons of the primary motor cortex?

<p>30%</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which subcortical structure provides the principal afferents to the primary motor cortex?

<p>Dentate nucleus of the cerebellum</p> Signup and view all the answers

The motor homunculus is a topographic representation located along which part of the cerebral cortex?

<p>Frontal lobe</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where do the afferents to the primary motor cortex mainly originate from?

<p>Ventral lateral nucleus of the thalamus</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the prefrontal cortex?

<p>Judgment and planning behavior</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where do the cell bodies of upper motor neurons originate from?

<p>Brainstem</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the brain constitutes the 'final common pathway' for controlling movement?

<p>Lower motor neurons</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of lower motor neurons?

<p>Transmitting impulses to muscles</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where do subcortical afferents that connect with the prefrontal cortex mainly arise from?

<p>Thalamus</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where does the decussation of the pyramids occur?

<p>Medulla</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which region controls the voluntary conjugate deviation of the eyes?

<p>Primary motor cortex</p> Signup and view all the answers

From where do the corticospinal fibers control trunk and limb muscles originate?

<p>Cerebral cortex</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which area is functionally known for intellect, judgment, and planning of behavior?

<p>Prefrontal cortex</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which fibers control the activity of motor neurons located in cranial nerve nuclei for head and neck muscles?

<p>Corticobulbar fibers</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the primary motor cortex?

<p>Controlling voluntary, skilled movements</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where do the principal subcortical afferents to the primary motor cortex originate from?

<p>Cerebellum</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the brain is involved in providing afferents to the prefrontal cortex?

<p>Globus pallidus</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where do the upper motor neurons originate from?

<p>Primary motor cortex</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which area of the brain is typically associated with the motor speech area (Broca's area)?

<p>Frontal lobe</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Prefrontal Cortex

  • Rich connections with parietal, temporal, and occipital cortex through long association fibers in the subcortical white matter
  • Subcortical afferents arise mainly in the medial dorsal and anterior nuclei of the thalamus
  • Cognitive functions of a high order: intellect, judgment, predictive faculties, and planning of behavior

Motor Systems

  • Upper motor neurons: control activity of lower motor neurons, do not transmit impulses directly to muscles
  • Cell body originates in cerebral cortex or brainstem, also known as second-order neurons
  • Form descending tracts that run through brainstem and spinal cord, including corticospinal and corticobulbar tracts

Lower Motor Neurons

  • Directly innervate skeletal muscle
  • Cell bodies originate in grey matter of spinal cord, brain stem, or cranial nerve nuclei
  • Constitute the 'final common pathway' by which the nervous system controls movement
  • Also known as second-order neurons

Premotor Cortex

  • Functions in programming and preparation for movement and control of posture
  • Exerts actions via primary motor cortex and corticospinal and corticobulbar fibers
  • 30% of corticospinal and corticobulbar fibers originate in premotor cortex
  • Principal subcortical input from ventral anterior nucleus of thalamus

Frontal Eye Field and Motor Speech Area

  • Frontal eye field: controls voluntary conjugate deviation of the eyes
  • Motor speech area (Broca's area): important interconnections with temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes involved in language function

Primary Motor Cortex

  • Functionally known as primary motor cortex
  • Stimulation elicits contraction of discrete muscle groups on opposite side of body
  • Controls voluntary, skilled movements (fractionated movements)
  • 30% of corticospinal and corticobulbar fibers arise from neurons of primary motor cortex
  • Principal subcortical afferents from ventral lateral nucleus of thalamus

Cortical Homunculus

  • Represents motor or sensory distribution along cerebral cortex of brain
  • Motor homunculus: topographic representation of body parts along precentral gyrus of frontal lobe
  • Sensory homunculus: topographic representation of body parts along postcentral gyrus of parietal lobe

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