Neuropsychology Exam

What is the primary motor area and where is it located?

- This is located on the precentral gyrus of frontal lobe.

- It's rate of firing is correlated with contralateral force.

- It has somatotopic organization (feet up high and head down low)

- The motor homunculus is here.

What is the motor homunculus?

- This is a variable representation of your body on your brain (across the primary motor cortex)

- Some regions have more cortical representation than others, which is why your body is distorted on your brain.

What do lesions in the primary motor area result in?

- The results in loss of fine movements, speed, & strength.

- This results in contralateral chronic loss of the ability to make fine, independent finger movements; loss of motor speed, and strength.

What is hemiplegia?

This is complete loss of strength and movement, paralysis (contralateral).

What is hemiparesis?

This is loss of strength, weakness (contralateral).

What is the supplemental motor area and where is it located?

- It is medial & some lateral aspects of the cortex.

- This has reciprocal connections to primary motor, premotor, & somatosensory areas.

- It is important for the temporal organization of movement (in time) -> sequencing of multiple movements. It's also important in tasks that require retrieval of motor memory.