Week 7 - Control of Movement Flashcards
(27 cards)
What is the neuromuscular junction?
Synapse between a motor neuron and a muscle fibre.
What neurotransmitter is released at the neuromuscular junction?
Acetylcholine (ACh).
What is a monosynaptic reflex?
Simple reflex involving one synapse, e.g., knee-jerk.
What is a polysynaptic reflex?
Reflex involving one or more interneurons, more complex.
What do muscle spindles detect?
Changes in muscle length.
What do Golgi tendon organs monitor?
Muscle tension (tendon stretch).
Where is the primary motor cortex located?
Frontal lobe; controls voluntary movements.
What is somatotopic organisation?
Different body parts are mapped onto specific motor cortex areas.
What is the function of the supplementary motor area (SMA)?
Planning and learning sequences of movement.
What does damage to the SMA affect?
Execution of well-learned movement sequences.
What is the function of the premotor cortex?
Learning and executing movements guided by sensory input.
What are mirror neurons?
Neurons that fire during both action execution and observation.
What is the function of the basal ganglia?
Control of voluntary movement.
Which diseases involve basal ganglia dysfunction?
Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease.
What are symptoms of Huntington’s disease?
Jerky movements, impaired inhibition, cognitive and emotional change.
What are key inputs to the basal ganglia?
Motor cortex, somatosensory cortex, substantia nigra.
What are outputs of the basal ganglia?
Motor cortexes and brainstem nuclei.
What is the function of the cerebellum?
Motor coordination, posture, motor learning.
What is cerebellar ataxia?
Lack of coordination caused by cerebellar damage.
What is an intention tremor?
Tremor during voluntary movement, worsens near the target.
What inputs and outputs does the cerebellum have?
Input from sensory systems and motor cortex; output to all major motor structures.
What does the reticular formation regulate?
Muscle tone, posture, automatic responses, locomotion.
What are the two major descending motor pathway groups?
Lateral and ventromedial pathways.
What does the lateral pathway control?
Voluntary, independent movement of distal muscles.
