Premotor cortex

The Premotor Cortex is an area of the brain located within the Frontal lobe. It is involved in the planning, control, and execution of voluntary movements. The Premotor Cortex is situated anterior to the Primary motor cortex and is responsible for some aspects of motor control, possibly including the preparation for movement, the sensory guidance of movement, the spatial guidance of reaching, or the direct control of some movements with a strong cognitive component, such as speech articulation.

Anatomy

The Premotor Cortex is located in the frontal lobe of the brain, anterior to the primary motor cortex. It is divided into two main sections: the dorsal premotor cortex (PMd) and the ventral premotor cortex (PMv). The PMd is involved in the planning of complex, coordinated movements, while the PMv is involved in the control of movements guided by sensory information.

Function

The Premotor Cortex plays a crucial role in the planning and execution of voluntary movements. It receives input from several areas of the brain, including the Primary somatosensory cortex, the Primary auditory cortex, and the Primary visual cortex. These inputs allow the Premotor Cortex to integrate sensory information with motor commands, enabling the coordination of complex movements.

Clinical Significance

Damage to the Premotor Cortex can result in a variety of motor deficits, including Apraxia, a disorder characterized by the inability to perform purposeful movements despite having the physical ability to do so. Additionally, the Premotor Cortex has been implicated in several neurological and psychiatric disorders, including Parkinson's disease, Schizophrenia, and Autism.

Images

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  Diagram of Brodmann areas
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  Brodmann area 6
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  Motor cortex in a monkey

See Also

• Motor cortex
• Frontal lobe
• Apraxia
• Parkinson's disease
• Schizophrenia
• Autism