Stretch reflex Stretch of the muscle leads to reflex contraction of the muscle.

. Its receptors are muscle spindle which are small intrafusal muscle fibers present in the fleshy part of the muscle and sends its action potential to sensory neurons of type Ia and type II to the alpha motor neurons in the spinal cord. Responsible for muscle tone and tendon jerks.

How voluntary movements are achieved?

1-Commands for the voluntary movements originate in the cortical association area. 2- The movements are planned in the motor cortex as well as in the basal ganglia and lateral portion of the cerebellum. 3- the basal ganglia and cerebellum then send their information to the motor and premotor cortex through the thalamus. 4- motor commands then pass from the motor and premotor cortex are sent to the motor neurons in the spinal cord through 2 pathways:

Direct pathway: (corticospinal tract or pyramidal tract):

From the cortex to the spinal cord and corticobulbar tract from the cortex to the motor neurons in the brain stem. (it was formerly called pyramidal system Functions of the pyramidal tract: performance of fine discrete movements of the distal parts of the limbs.

b- Indirect pathway:Extrapyramidal
collateral from the motor cortex may end on the brain stem nuclei and other motor centers in the brain stem from these centers projections are sent to the spinal and cranial motor neurons. Examples of brain stem nuclei include vestibular nucleus reticular formation, red nucleus, etc.

 Axial muscles in the trunk and proximal muscles of the limbs are concerned with control of posture and gross movements.
These muscles are innervatedby the neurons in the medial part of the ventral horn of the spinal cord. They are controlled by the ventral corticospinal tract and the descending pathways from the brain stem (tectospinal, reticulospinal and vestibulospinal tracts).

The distal limb muscles mediate fine skilled movements. They are innervated by the lateral portions of the ventral horn of the spinal cord they are controlled by the lateral corticospinal tract and rubrospinal tract.

Functions of the primary motor cortex:

I- Initiates and controls fine discrete skilled movement especially done by the distal parts of the body, e.g. hands and fingers. II- Facilitates the stretch reflex. III- It shares area 6 in initiating the gross movements. IV- It is necessary for occurrence of superficial reflexes.

Cortical motor areas

Motor cortex: The motor cortex is divided into three separate areas: 1) The primary motor cortex. 2) The premotor cortex. 3) The supplemental motor cortex

The premotor area or (area 6)

Functions: 1- It is involved in motor programming; especially of the axial (it gives the background position for a fine skilled movements. e.g. turning on-off a light. These specific tasks need to position the shoulders and arms so that the hands become property oriented to perform the tasks, and appears to be involved in the initial preparatory stages of movement. 2- Inhibition of stretch reflex and muscle tone. 3- Inhibition of grasp reflex. 4- It shares in controlling autonomic functions. 5- It initiates the subconscious autonomic movement e.g. swing of the arms during walking.

Other function of premotor area (area 6)

There are specialized motor regions that control specific motor functions, and are located in the premotor area. The most important of these areas are from below upwards. A- Broca's area or speech area: B- Area for voluntary eyes movements: C- Head rotation area: D- Area for hand skills (exiner's area):

Physiological division of the cerebellum:

1- Vestibulocerebellum (= archicerebellum) it controls the posture & equilibrium: 2- Spinocerebellum (= paleocerebellum): it inhibits to the muscle tone and controls the voluntary movements. 3- Cerebrocerebellum (= neocerebellum): it controls the voluntary movements & stimulate the muscle tone.

FUNCTIONS OF THE CEREBELLUM

CONTROL OF EQUILIBRIUM & POSTURAL MOVEMENTS Through connection with semicircular canals CONTROL OF THE STRETCH REFLEX
The cerebrocerebellum (neocerebellum) exerts a facilitatory effect on the stretch reflex & increases the muscle tone, while the spinocerebellum (paleocerebellum) probably exerts an inhibitory effect.

However, normally the facilitatory effect predominates (so cerebellar disease often results in hypotonia).

FUNCTIONS OF THE CEREBELLUM

FUNCTIONS OF THE CEREBELLUM In voluntary movements

Servocomparator function: Damping (stopping) of movements Coordination of ballistic movements

Planning of movements: Prediction of movements: Timing of movements:

Lesion of neocerebellum (Neocerebellar ataxia).

It is characterized by: Hypotonia. Asthenia or muscle weakness. Motor ataxia: This is incoordination of voluntary movements specially rapid one. It involves the following features:
Dysmetria. Kinetic or intention tremor. Decomposition of movements. Dysarthria. Drunken gait. Nystagmus. Rebound phenomenon.