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Cerebral Cortex
Summary of Brain Systems' Roles in Voluntary Goal-Directed Movement
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Cognitive System (Prefrontal Cortex):
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The prefrontal cortex plans and initiates voluntary movements by setting goals and determining actions.
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It sends signals to the motor cortex to execute movements while inhibiting inappropriate or conflicting actions through executive control.
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Communicates with the basal ganglia to select and inhibit actions.
2. Sensory Input:
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The prefrontal cortex plans and initiates voluntary movements by setting goals and determining actions.
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It sends signals to the motor cortex to execute movements while inhibiting inappropriate or conflicting actions through executive control.
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Communicates with the basal ganglia to select and inhibit actions.
3. Visual Input:
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Supplies spatial and object-related information for accurate motor planning.
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Contributes to coordination through interaction with the cerebellum.
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Visual information from the occipital lobe informs spatial awareness and guides motor actions like reaching or avoiding obstacles.
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The dorsal stream processes "where" an object is, aiding motor planning.
4. Auditory Input:
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Sound cues processed in the auditory cortex influence movements, such as turning toward a sound source.
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Works with the cerebellum for timing and coordination.
5. Brainstem:
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The brainstem regulates basic postural control and reflexes.
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It acts as a relay center, integrating sensory input with motor commands for balance and coordination.
6. Basal Ganglia:
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This group of nuclei filters motor commands, ensuring only appropriate movements are initiated.
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It regulates movement initiation and termination, suppressing involuntary or conflicting actions via inhibitory pathways (e.g., the indirect pathway).
7. Cerebellum:
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Fine-tunes movements based on sensory feedback.
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Contributes to balance, coordination, and error correction.
8. Motor Output:
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The endpoint where all systems converge to execute voluntary movements.
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Together, these systems dynamically interact, balancing excitation and inhibition to ensure smooth, goal-directed voluntary movements.The diagram illustrates how these systems interconnect and coordinate to control or inhibit motor output effectively.
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