Upper motor neurons
Upper Motor Neurons
Upper motor neurons (pronunciation: /ˈʌpər ˈmoʊtər ˈnjuːrɒnz/) are a type of motor neuron that originate in the motor region of the cerebral cortex or the brain stem. The cells are named after their location in the upper part of the body and their role in controlling the movements of the body.
Etymology
The term "upper motor neuron" is derived from the Latin words "superior" meaning upper, "motor" meaning mover, and "neuron" meaning nerve. The term was first used in the late 19th century to differentiate these neurons from the lower motor neurons which are located in the spinal cord and peripheral nervous system.
Function
Upper motor neurons are responsible for carrying information down to the lower motor neurons. They are involved in the control of voluntary movements, particularly fine movements of the hands and fingers. They also play a role in maintaining muscle tone and supporting postural adjustments.
Related Terms
- Motor neuron: A type of nerve cell that is directly or indirectly responsible for the movement of muscles.
- Lower motor neuron: A type of motor neuron that is located in the spinal cord and peripheral nervous system.
- Motor cortex: The part of the brain where the nerve impulses originate that initiate voluntary muscular activity.
- Brain stem: The part of the brain that connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord and controls automatic functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.
Disorders
Damage to the upper motor neurons can result in a variety of neurological disorders, including spasticity, hyperreflexia, and Babinski sign. These symptoms are collectively known as the upper motor neuron syndrome.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Upper motor neurons
- Wikipedia's article - Upper motor neurons
This WikiMD article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski