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The motor cortex, located in the frontal lobe, is crucial for controlling voluntary movements. Discovered by Fritsch and Hitzig in the 19th century, it includes the primary motor cortex, responsible for movement execution, and the nonprimary motor areas, which plan and coordinate complex actions. The text delves into the anatomy, function, and sensory integration of the motor cortex, highlighting its significance in the brain's motor control system.
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German physiologists Gustav Fritsch and Eduard Hitzig discovered the motor cortex in the late 19th century through experiments on dogs
Primary and Nonprimary Motor Areas
The motor cortex is divided into primary and nonprimary motor areas, with the primary motor cortex responsible for initiating movements and the nonprimary motor cortex involved in planning and coordination
The Motor Homunculus
The motor homunculus, a mapped representation of the motor cortex, illustrates the concept of somatotopy and the disproportionate representation of certain body parts
The motor cortex is essential for the execution of voluntary movements, with the primary motor cortex containing large pyramidal cells that send signals to lower motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem
The primary motor cortex is responsible for initiating and controlling movements, particularly contralateral movements, and is intricately involved in fine motor control
Premotor Cortex
The premotor cortex prepares and organizes movements based on sensory inputs and the current context
Supplementary Motor Area
The supplementary motor area is involved in sequencing and coordinating complex movements
Feedback from the Cerebellum and Proprioceptive System
The cerebellum and proprioceptive system provide critical feedback on the body's position and movement, allowing the brain to make real-time adjustments for smooth and precise movements
Importance in Motor Control
Sensory integration is fundamental to motor control, enabling the brain to process and respond to a variety of sensory inputs necessary for performing everyday activities
00
In the ______, the motor cortex was discovered by German physiologists named ______ and ______.
late 19th century
Gustav Fritsch
Eduard Hitzig
01
The discovery that electrical stimulation in a dog's cerebral cortex could cause ______ was made in ______.
involuntary muscular contractions
1870
02
Function of primary motor cortex
Controls voluntary movements; located in Brodmann's area 4 on precentral gyrus.
