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Motor Pathways
This section describes the anatomical structures that carry motor information from the brain to the body, including upper motor neuron and lower motor neuron pathways.
Terminology:
By the end of this section, make certain that you understand what each of these terms mean, and can apply them appropriately. If applicable, make sure you can find each item on a whole brain, brain section, or image of a brain.
- lower motor neuron
- alpha motor neuron
- gamma motor neuron
- final common path
- interneuron
- upper motor neuron
- anterior white funiculus
- lateral white funiculus
- flexor muscle group
- extensor muscle group
- antigravity muscles
- axial muscles
- proximal musculature
- primary motor cortex
- corticospinal tracts
- pyramidal tracts
- pyramidal decussation
- lateral corticospinal tract
- anterior corticospinal tract
- premotor cortex
- supplementary motor cortex
- corticorubral tracts
- corticoreticular tracts
- pontine (medial) reticulospinal tract
- medullary (lateral) reticulospinal tract
- lateral vestibulospinal tract
- medial vestibulospinal tract
- medial longitudinal fasciculus
- spindle
- Golgi tendon organ
- Renshaw cells