Areas of the brain involved in movement

Areas of the brain involved in movement

-By Timothy Lyons

One of the main areas of the brain involved in movement is known as the primary motor cortex (PMC). It is part of the frontal lobe in an area called the precentral gyrus. This area of the brain controls movement in two ways. It is responsible, on one side called the lateral group, for movement of the limbs hands and fingers. Another part of areas of the brain involved in movement is known as the ventromedial group and this area is responsible for automatic and coordinated movement of the limbs such as in posture and locomotion (Carson & Birkett, 2017; The Brain Connection, 2013). Each part of the body has its own area in the PMC. They are located somatotopically which means point by point in relation to the body parts (The Free Dictionary, 2003).

Another of the areas of the brain involved in movement is composed of three parts. These are known as the secondary motor cortices which are the posterior parietal cortex (PPC), the premotor cortex (PC) and the supplementary motor area (SMA). These have the following functions. The PPC handles translation of visual input into motor commands. The PC handles the sensory guidance of movement such as those associated with time and specific direction (Purves, Augustine, & Fitzpatrick, 2001). In addition this area is also deals with the mimicking actions of other people and in comprehending and anticipating these actions (Carson & Birkett, 2017). The SMA handles arrangement of complex and two-handed movements in regard to coordination.

In addition to the main areas of the brain involved in movement there are subcortical areas of the brain involved in movement. These areas are the reticular formation, the cerebellum and the basal ganglia. The reticular formation manages part of the motor system that deals with muscle tonus. The cerebellum assists in posture control but is most important because it helps to calculate complex muscle movements that are rapid and skillful. The basal ganglia work in conjunction with the motor cortex monitoring somatosensory information so that the motor cortex can make informed movements that are planned and executed (Carson & Birkett, 2017).

References for Areas of the brain involved in movement

The Brain Connection. (2013, March 5). The Anatomy of Movement [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://brainconnection.brainhq.com/2013/03/05/the-anatomy-of-movement/

Carlson, N. R., & Birkett, M. A. (2017). Physiology of Behavior (12 ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education.

The Free Dictionary. (2003). Somatotopic. In Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health (7 ed.). Retrieved January 22, 2017, from http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/somatotopic

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Purves, D., Augustine, G. J., & Fitzpatrick, D. (Eds.). (2001). Neuroscience (2 ed.). Summerland, MA: Sinauer Associates. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK10796/

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