Motor Control

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to motor control, detailing types of movements, brain regions involved, and the consequences of damage to motor pathways.

Motor Hierarchy

A classification of how motor control is organized within the nervous system, from simple reflexes to complex voluntary movements.

Reflexes

Automatic, quick movements in response to stimuli that do not require cortical input.

Cortical Motor Control Centers

Regions of the brain responsible for planning and executing voluntary movements.

Central Pattern Generators

Neural circuits that produce rhythmic outputs, such as walking and chewing, without requiring external feedback.

Corticospinal Pathway

A major pathway that controls movements of the extremities, comprising lateral and medial tracts with contralateral effects.

Primary Motor Cortex (M1)

The area of the brain that sends signals to motor neurons for muscle movement, coordinating movements of multiple muscle groups.

Apraxia

A condition characterized by difficulty in motor planning and executing movements despite having normal muscle strength.

Mirror Neurons

Neurons that activate during the production and observation of actions, crucial for understanding others' actions.

Supplementary Motor Area (SMA)

A brain region involved in the initiation and coordination of self-initiated movements and complex sequences.

Alien Hand Syndrome

A condition resulting from lesions in the SMA, where one hand acts autonomously, leading to bizarre and unintended actions.

Prefrontal Cortex Role

Involvement in goal selection and response maintenance; damage can lead to disorganized or inappropriate actions.

Utilization Behavior

A phenomenon where patients engage in automatic actions that are inappropriate for the context, often without awareness.