Asked by Hayden Spalding on Jul 21, 2024

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The primary motor area

A) contains sensory neurons for the face in its inferior portion.
B) contains a smaller area for control of the hands than for control of the legs.
C) contains neurons that control smooth muscle.
D) contains more motor neurons for the thighs than the mouth.
E) contains a larger area for control of the hand and fingers than for control of the arm and elbow.

Primary Motor Area

A region of the frontal lobe in the brain responsible for the initiation of voluntary movements by sending impulses to skeletal muscles.

Sensory Neurons

Nerve cells that transmit sensory information (e.g., pain, temperature, touch) from the body to the central nervous system.

Smooth Muscle

Involuntary, non-striated muscle that lines the walls of internal organs and blood vessels, controlling their movements.

  • Depict the principle of somatotopy and highlight its importance within the sensory and motor cortex.
  • Understand the anatomical and functional configuration of the primary somatosensory and motor cortices.
  • Examine the pathways that travel downwards through the spinal cord and their involvement in intentional movement.
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LP
Lainy PrescottJul 26, 2024
Final Answer :
E
Explanation :
The primary motor area, located in the precentral gyrus of the frontal lobe, is organized somatotopically, meaning different parts of the cortex control different parts of the body. The amount of cortex devoted to a body part reflects the complexity of its movements rather than its size. Therefore, areas like the hands and fingers, which require fine motor control, have a larger representation than simpler, less finely controlled areas like the arm and elbow.