Primary motor cortex

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Primary Motor Cortex

The Primary Motor Cortex (M1), also known as the precentral gyrus, is a part of the human brain responsible for the execution of voluntary movements.

Pronunciation

Primary Motor Cortex: /ˈpraɪməri ˈmoʊtər ˈkɔːrteks/

Etymology

The term "Primary Motor Cortex" is derived from the Latin words 'primus' meaning 'first', 'motor' meaning 'mover', and 'cortex' meaning 'bark' or 'rind'. This term was first used in the late 19th century to describe the area of the brain that primarily controls motor functions.

Function

The primary motor cortex is located in the frontal lobe of the brain, anterior to the central sulcus. It is responsible for generating neural impulses that control the execution of movement. The neurons in the primary motor cortex send their axons down to the brainstem and spinal cord via the corticospinal tract, which controls the motor functions of the body.

Related Terms

  • Frontal lobe: The largest of the four major lobes of the brain in mammals, and is located at the front of each hemisphere.
  • Central sulcus: A sulcus, or fold, in the cerebral cortex in the brains of vertebrates.
  • Brainstem: The posterior part of the brain, continuous with the spinal cord.
  • Spinal cord: A long, thin, tubular structure made up of nervous tissue, which extends from the medulla oblongata in the brainstem to the lumbar region of the vertebral column.
  • Corticospinal tract: A collection of axons that travel between the cerebral cortex of the brain and the spinal cord.

External links

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