The motor cortex

1. The Motor Cortex Functions and associated substructures

2. Location The Primary Motor Cortex is the posterior part of the frontal lobe, lying behind the prefrontal cortex and in front of the sensory cortex.

3. Functions The Motor Cortex is involved in the planning, control, and execution of voluntary motor functions. The regions of the motor cortex roughly mirror the regions of the body. Those regions of the body that require more precise control occupy larger regions of the motor cortex.

4. Substructures the posterior parietal cortex , responsible for transforming visual information into motor commands. the premotor cortex , responsible for motor guidance of movement and control of proximal and trunk muscles of the body. and the supplementary motor area (or SMA), responsible for planning and coordination of complex movements such as those requiring two hands.

5. Special Note The Posterior Parietal Cortex (PPC) is located on the parietal lobe, behind the Sensory Cortex and in front of the Occipital lobe. There fore it is not part of or even adjacent to the Precentral Gyrus where the Primary Motor Cortex is located. The Posterior Parietal Cortex is still considered anatomically part of the Motor Cortex due to its function: transforming visual information into motor commands. What is the relation between the location of the PPC and its function?

6. Location of the PPC