2. Motor systems
• Motor systems are complex and include
sophisticated control systems the
purpose of which is to serve
locomotion, posture and work.
3. Several feedback systems monitor
muscle activity
The length of muscles and the strength of contractions
are monitored by:
– Input from proprioceptive receptors in muscles, joints
and tendons
– Local feedback from motor nerves (Renshaw
inhibition)
19. Extensive processing of motor
command occurs in the spinal
cord (and brainstem)
• Spinal reflexes play an important
role in all motor functions
• Some functions such as walking is
programmed in the spinal cord
28. Interneuron
Input A
B
A
a motoneuron
Input B
Intracellular
potential in
a motoneuron
Input A
B
A
a motoneuron
Input B
Intracellular
potential in
a motoneuron
Convergence of
excitatory inputs
Convergence of inhibitory
and excitatory inputs
44. Cerebral cortex
(MI and SI)
Thalamus
Cerebellar
nucleus
Pontine
nuclei
Red
nucleus
Cerebellar
cortex
From
spinal cord
Rubrospinal
tract
Involvement of the
cerebellum and
pontine nuclei