Neuroanatomy and Movement Control

Flashcards covering key neuroanatomy concepts and terms related to movement control.

White Matter

The outer part of the spinal cord, primarily composed of myelinated axons.

Gray Matter

The inner part of the spinal cord, which contains nerve cell bodies and interneurons.

Bell and Magendie's Law

States that afferent neurons come in through the posterior horn and efferent neurons exit through the anterior horn of the spinal cord.

Interneurons

Neurons that transmit impulses between other neurons, specifically between sensory and motor neurons.

Efferent Motor Neurons

Neurons that convey signals from the central nervous system to the muscles or glands for action.

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter at the neuromuscular junction that stimulates muscle contraction.

Hypertonic

Excessive muscle tone, which can lead to rigidity and stiffness in movements.

Basal Ganglia

A group of nuclei in the forebrain involved in the control of movement and motor planning.

Nigrostriatal Pathway

A dopaminergic pathway that connects the substantia nigra to the striatum, involved in movement regulation.

Hyperkinetic Disorders

Movement disorders characterized by excessive movement, such as Huntington's disease.

Hypokinetic Disorders

Movement disorders characterized by reduced movement, such as Parkinson's disease.

Direct Pathway

A motor pathway that enhances or increases movement.

Indirect Pathway

A motor pathway that decreases movement through inhibitory connections.

Peristalsis

The wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract.

Enteric Nervous System

A division of the autonomic nervous system that governs the function of the gastrointestinal tract.

Tardive Dyskinesia

A movement disorder characterized by involuntary tics and movements, often resulting from long-term use of antipsychotic medications.

Catatonia

A state of unresponsiveness and immobility, often seen in severe psychiatric conditions.

Muscular Rigidity

Increased resistance to passive movement of a muscle, often associated with neurological disorders.

Position Point Theory

The concept that different body parts have specific representations in the motor cortex.

Motor Cortex

The area of the brain responsible for planning, controlling, and executing voluntary movements.