key term - Cerebral peduncles

Definition

Cerebral peduncles are bundles of nerve fibers located in the midbrain that connect the forebrain and hindbrain, playing a crucial role in transmitting motor signals from the brain to the spinal cord. They facilitate the communication necessary for coordinating movement and posture.

Related terms

Motor Cortex:

The region of the cerebral cortex involved in planning, controlling, and executing voluntary movements.

Basal Ganglia:

A group of nuclei in the brain associated with motor control, as well as various aspects of cognition and emotion.

Pyramidal Tracts: Major pathways that convey motor signals from the cerebral cortex to the spinal cord, directly influencing voluntary muscle activity