NEUR3112 Study Guide - Final Guide: Alpha Motor Neuron, Myotome, Somatosensory System
Document Summary
Motor system -> all muscles and neurons that control them. Contains motor programs for generation of coordinated movements which can work in isolation -> reflexes. Do not have to go to the brain (hence, in isolation) Motor control and can divided into 2 parts: Brains command and control of the motor programs sent to the spinal cord. Alpha motor neurons in sc -> innervate muscles -> muscle contraction. Motor neurons are located in the ventral horn. Ventral roots at each vertebra -> motor neurons -> into muscle. Cervical: motoneurons in the cervical region project to the arms. Thoracic: motoneurons in the thoracic region project to the body. Lumbar/sacral: motoneurons in the lumbar region project to the legs. Myotome -> group of muscles innervated by a motor neuron from a single ventral root. Motor unit: motor neuron and the muscle fibres it innervates. Motor neuron pool: all motor neurons that innervate a single mucle2.
