Lower motor neuron
Lower motor neuron
Lower motor neuron (LMN) (pronunciation: loh-er mo-tor noo-ron) is a type of motor neuron that directly or indirectly controls effector organs such as muscles and glands.
Etymology
The term "lower motor neuron" is derived from its position in the motor control hierarchy. It is "lower" because it is downstream of the upper motor neuron (UMN) in the pathway that connects the brain to the muscles.
Function
Lower motor neurons translate neural messages from the brain and spinal cord into muscle movements. They are the final common pathway for motor control, receiving inputs from upper motor neurons and then directly innervating skeletal muscle.
Related Terms
- Upper motor neuron: A neuron that originates in the brain's motor cortex and terminates within the medulla or spinal cord. It provides input to the lower motor neurons.
- Motor neuron disease: A group of neurological disorders that selectively affect motor neurons, the cells that control voluntary muscle activity including speaking, walking, breathing, swallowing and general movement of the body.
- Neuron: A specialized cell transmitting nerve impulses; a nerve cell.
- Motor cortex: The part of the cerebral cortex in the brain where the nerve impulses originate that initiate voluntary muscular activity.
- Spinal cord: The cylindrical bundle of nerve fibers and associated tissue that is enclosed in the spine and connects nearly all parts of the body to the brain, with which it forms the central nervous system.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Lower motor neuron
- Wikipedia's article - Lower motor neuron
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