8.Motor Systems II:Motor Cortex, Basal Ganglia and Cerebellum

Question 1

Describe the role and location of the primary motor cortex

Answer 1

It controls the voluntary movement and it is located immediately infront of the central sulcus

Question 2

Describe the role and location of the premotor cortex

Answer 2

Coordination of complex movement and it is located in front of the primary motor cortex

Question 3

Describe the role and location of the Broca’s area

Answer 3

Speech formation and it is located at the lateral edge of dominant frontal lobe

Question 4

Describe the role and location of the corticospinal tract

Answer 4

produces voluntary movements of arms and legs and the tract crosses at the lower medulla

Question 5

Describe the role and location of the spinal interneurons

Answer 5

it relays signals from the sensory neurons to the motor neurons and it is located in the spinal cord

Question 6

Summarize the role of the basal ganglia in the production of movement

Answer 6

it receives input from the motor cortex and sends it back to motor cortex via the thalamus and it is important for the smooth initiation and execution of motor programs

Question 7

Name and describe an example of basal ganglia dysfunction that is hypokinetic

Answer 7

Parkinsons disease, caused by degeneration of dopamine containing neurons in the substantial nigra.

Question 8

Name and describe an example of basal ganglia dysfunction that is hyperkinetic

Answer 8

Huntington’s disease, due to a net reduction in the basal ganglia inhibition of the thalamus

Question 9

briefly describe the role of cerebellum in processing vestibular information and which functional division is it in

Answer 9

it is in the Vestibulocerebellum and it controls balance and eye movements

Question 10

briefly describe the role of cerebellum in monitoring and correcting ongoing motor activity and which functional division is it in

Answer 10

it is in the Spinocerebellum and it functions to compare planned movement to actual movement and creat an error signal to correct any movement if necessary

Question 11

briefly describe the role of cerebellum in planning and coordinating complex movements and which functional division is it in

Answer 11

it is in the cerebrocerebellum and it helps with smooth planning and execution of movements

Question 12

Explain why intention tremor, cerebellar ataxia, cerebellar gait, nystagmus and falling are symptoms of cerebellar dysfunction, and why these may also be signs of alcohol use.

Answer 12

this is because alcohol intoxication leads to cerebellar signs and too much alcohol could affect the neurons and even kill the cerebellar neurons