Neuromuscular control of motion

Jennifer Kong

.

Chapter Learning Objectives [WILL NEED TO EDIT AS THE TEXT FILLS IN]

After studying this chapter, you will be able to:

  • Name the major divisions of the nervous system, both anatomical and functional
  • Describe the functional and structural differences between gray matter and white matter structures
  • List the types of glial cells and assign each to the proper division of the nervous system, along with their function(s)
  • Distinguish the major functions of the nervous system: sensation, integration, and response
  • Describe the components of the membrane that establish the resting membrane potential
  • Describe the changes that occur to the membrane that result in the action potential
  • Explain the differences between types of graded potentials
  • Categorize the major neurotransmitters by chemical type and effect

Neuromuscular control of voluntary movement is a large topic which involves the nervous system, neuromuscular control, muscle contraction, and functional joints and bones.  Everything has to be functional for smooth, voluntary movement to occur.  Thus, this chapter’s pathologies of neuromuscular disorders are loosely categorized as issues with

  • nervous control:  central vs peripheral nervous system problems
  • neuromuscular junction
  • muscular structure and/or ability to contract
  • joint and/or bone abnormalities are discussed in the further chapter (ADD LINK)
motor messages leaving the brain (upper motor neuron) and travelling to spinal cord where proper function is demonstrated in arm flexion. Impaired conduction in UMN and/or LMN manifests in impaired arm motion (left panel) whereas the spinal reflex remains intact when the impairment is only in UMN (right panel)
Figure 12.1 Overview of how voluntary motor message requires intact upper (CNS) and lower (PNS) motor neurons to result in muscle contraction.  Impairments of UMN or LMN will result in impaired motion yet still have an intact spinal reflex

Each classification have different causes and exhibit their own set of  signs, symptoms, and diagnostic findings.

This chapter is subdivided into:

  • Pre-test
  • Normal anatomy, physiology & histology of the nervous system and skeletal muscle tissue
  • Classification  & causes of neuromuscular disorders
  • Pathophysiology of neuromuscular control exemplars
    • CNS: traumatic brain injury, ischemic stroke
    • CNS myelination:  Multiple Sclerosis
    • PNS:  diabetic neuropathy
    • Neuromuscular junction:  Myasthenia Gravis
    • Muscle:  Muscle strains and Muscular Dystrophy
  • Clinical manifestation of problems with neuromuscular control
  • Interview with health care professionals diagnosing/treating those with movement disorders
      • Prosthetics & Orthotics
      • Electroneurophysiology (EEG & EMGs)
  • Post-test

Abbreviations

The following abbreviations are used throughout the chapter.

License

Icon for the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

Pathology Copyright © 2022 by Jennifer Kong is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

Share This Book