Coordination & Balance (Neuro)

The statement is true because the equilibrium coordination test refers to the body's ability to maintain balance and stability in relation to gravity, both when the body is stationary and when it is in motion. This test assesses the individual's coordination and control over their body movements, ensuring that they can maintain equilibrium and avoid falls or accidents.

Coordination refers to the ability to execute smooth, accurate, and controlled movements. It involves the integration of various body parts and muscles to perform tasks efficiently. Motor control, on the other hand, is a broader term that encompasses coordination as well as other aspects of movement, such as balance and posture. Agility refers to the ability to change direction quickly and efficiently. Dexterity refers to the skillful use of hands or fingers. Therefore, coordination is the most appropriate term to describe the ability to execute smooth, accurate, and controlled movement.

The statement is true because sensory input, such as visual or proprioceptive information, plays a crucial role in guiding the motor system. This input helps the motor system to accurately plan and execute movements by providing information about the body's position, the surrounding environment, and any changes that may occur. Without sensory input, the motor system would lack the necessary information to perform movements effectively and efficiently.

Fine motor movements refer to the precise and coordinated movements of small muscle groups, particularly those involving the fingers and hands. These movements require skill and dexterity, such as buttoning clothes, typing on a keyboard, or using an iPad or iPhone. The term "fine" is used to describe these motor movements because they involve intricate control and precision.

Ataxia is a general term used to describe loss of muscle coordination. It affects various aspects of movement such as gait, posture, patterns of movement, activities of daily living (ADLs), as well as the initiation and timing of movement. It can result from various causes including neurological disorders, genetic conditions, or certain medications.

Agility refers to the ability to quickly and smoothly initiate, stop, or modify movements while maintaining postural control. It involves a combination of balance, coordination, speed, and flexibility. Dexterity refers more specifically to fine motor skills and precise hand movements. Coordination is the ability to integrate different movements smoothly and efficiently. Motor control encompasses all aspects of movement, including coordination, balance, and dexterity. Therefore, agility is the most appropriate term to describe the ability to rapidly and smoothly initiate, stop, or modify movements while maintaining postural control.

The ventral roots of the spinal cord contain motor fibers that are responsible for transmitting signals from the central nervous system to the muscles, resulting in motion. These motor fibers carry information from the brain to the muscles, allowing us to move our body parts voluntarily. Therefore, the statement is true.

The basal ganglia is responsible for the initiation and regulation of gross intentional movement, as well as the planning and execution of complex motor responses. It plays a crucial role in coordinating movement and ensuring smooth, coordinated actions. The precentral gyrus is involved in motor control, but it primarily controls voluntary movements of the body. The thalamus is involved in relaying sensory information to the cerebral cortex, and the medulla is responsible for controlling vital functions such as breathing and heart rate. Therefore, the correct answer is Basal Ganglia.

Dexterity refers to the skillful use of the fingers during fine motor tasks. It involves precise control and coordination of the fingers to manipulate objects or perform delicate movements. Dexterity is essential in activities such as playing a musical instrument, typing on a keyboard, or performing surgery. Motor control refers to the ability to coordinate and control movements, but it does not specifically focus on the fingers. Agility refers to the ability to move quickly and easily. Coordination involves the ability to synchronize movements of different body parts.

Movements involving large muscle groups including posture, balance, and extremity movements such as crawling, walking, and kneeling are known as gross motor movements. These movements require the coordination and control of multiple muscles and are typically associated with activities that involve the whole body or large body parts. Gross motor movements are important for activities like running, jumping, and throwing, and they play a crucial role in the development of motor skills in children.

The corticospinal tract is responsible for skilled, fine motor control, especially of the distal limbs. It is a major pathway that carries motor signals from the cerebral cortex to the spinal cord, allowing for precise control of voluntary movements. This tract is involved in tasks such as writing, playing musical instruments, and manipulating small objects with the hands. Damage to the corticospinal tract can result in motor deficits, such as weakness or loss of coordination in the distal limbs.

Motor control refers to the ability of the central nervous system (CNS) to regulate and direct the neuromotor system in order to produce purposeful movement and postural adjustments. This involves the selective allocation of muscle tension across appropriate joint segments. Coordination, balance, and dexterity are related concepts, but they do not encompass the specific control and regulation of the neuromotor system like motor control does. Therefore, the correct answer is Motor Control.

The given description of CNS analysis of movement information, determination of level of accuracy, and provision for error correction aligns with the characteristics of a closed loop system. In a closed loop system, feedback is continuously monitored and used to make adjustments and corrections to achieve the desired outcome. This feedback loop allows for greater accuracy and precision in movement control. Ataxia and hypotonia are conditions that affect motor control and are not directly related to the described characteristics of a closed loop system.

If a Romberg test is positive with EO (eyes open), it indicates the presence of ataxia. Ataxia refers to a lack of muscle coordination, which can affect balance and movement. Therefore, if the Romberg test is positive with EO, it suggests that there may be a vestibular or cerebellar issue causing ataxia, leading to a more significant balance deficit.

During backward sway, the body activates certain muscle groups to maintain balance. The anterior tibialis muscle is responsible for controlling the movement of the ankle joint and plays a crucial role in preventing the foot from rolling backward. The quadriceps muscle group, located in the front of the thigh, helps to extend the knee joint and stabilize the lower limb during backward sway. The abdominals, specifically the rectus abdominis and obliques, contract to stabilize the trunk and pelvis, ensuring that the body remains upright. Therefore, the correct answer is anterior tib, quadriceps, and abdominals.

The Motor Cortex is involved in coordinated movement and receives information from three primary sources: the Cerebellum, basal ganglia, and somatosensory cortex. It is comprised of Brodman's area 4 & 6 and the precentral gyrus located in the frontal lobe.

The ankle strategy refers to a postural control mechanism where the muscles are activated in a specific sequence, starting from the distal (farther from the center of the body) muscles and progressing towards the proximal (closer to the center of the body) muscles. This means that the muscles in the ankles are the first to be activated, followed by the muscles in the lower legs, then the muscles in the upper legs and so on. This sequential activation helps to stabilize the body and maintain balance during movements.

The pre motor cortex provides input to the reticulospinal neurons that control trunk and proximal limb movements and contributes to anticipatory postural changes. This area of the brain is involved in planning and coordinating movements before they are executed. It receives information from other areas of the brain and integrates it to generate appropriate motor commands.

Gait ataxia refers to a lack of coordination and control while walking. The given answer options describe different characteristics of gait ataxia. "Broad base of support" indicates that the person's feet are placed wider apart to increase stability. "Step may initially be slow and flung forward" suggests an unsteady and irregular walking pattern, where the person may take slow and uneven steps, sometimes forcefully flinging their foot forward. "Upright stance stability is poor" implies that maintaining an upright posture while walking is challenging for individuals with gait ataxia.

Coordination impairments can be described as awkward, extraneous/uneven, and inaccurate. Awkwardness refers to movements that lack smoothness and fluency, often appearing clumsy or uncoordinated. Extraneous or uneven movements indicate a lack of precision and control, with actions being inconsistent or irregular. Inaccuracy refers to the inability to perform movements accurately, resulting in errors or misjudgments in timing, distance, or direction. These descriptions highlight the difficulties individuals with coordination impairments face in executing movements smoothly, precisely, and accurately.

Brodman's area 6 is subdivided into the Supplementary Motor Cortex (SMC). It is responsible for giving rise to axons that directly innervate motor units involved in the initiation of movement. It is also involved in intricate and coordinated movements, such as bilateral grasping, orientation of the eyes and head, and movement involving multiple joints.

Coordinated movements require not only speed, distance, direction, and timing, but also the appropriate level of muscular tension. Muscular tension refers to the degree of contraction or relaxation of muscles involved in a movement. It is crucial for maintaining balance, stability, and control during coordinated movements. Too much tension can lead to stiffness and lack of fluidity, while too little tension can result in a lack of control and precision. Therefore, the correct level of muscular tension is essential for executing coordinated movements effectively.

Testing coordination and balance helps assess various aspects related to muscle activity during voluntary movement, such as the ability of muscles to work together for a task, functional activity, level of skill, and efficiency of movement. It also evaluates the ability to initiate, control, and terminate movement, as well as the timing, sequencing, and accuracy of movement patterns. Additionally, testing coordination and balance can provide insights into the effects of therapeutic and pharmacological interventions on motor function over time.

The reticulospinal tract is responsible for projecting to the anterior horn of the spinal cord and influencing muscle tone and reflex activity. This tract originates in the reticular formation of the brainstem and plays a role in modulating motor functions. It helps regulate muscle tone, balance, and posture, as well as coordinating voluntary and involuntary movements.

Brodman's Area 4 is designated as the Primary Motor Cortex (PMC). It is also true that the PMC contains the largest concentration of corticospinal neurons. Additionally, the PMC is involved in non-complicated, contra lateral movements that involve a single joint.

The correct answer is the Lateral vestibulospinal tract. This tract descends to all levels of the spinal cord and is involved in the control of posture and balance. It receives input from the vestibular system and helps to coordinate movements and maintain stability.

The correct answer is Abdominals & quads (forward sway), Paraspinals & hamstrings (backward sway), and Abductors & adductors (lateral sway). During the Hip strategy, these muscle groups are activated to control different types of sways in different directions. The abdominals and quads are activated during forward sway, the paraspinals and hamstrings are activated during backward sway, and the abductors and adductors are activated during lateral sway. These muscle groups work together to maintain balance and stability during movement.

The correct answer is Alternate/ Reciprocal motion, Movement composition/ Accuracy, Fixation or limb holding. These tests are considered non-equilibrium coordination tests because they involve dynamic movements and require the coordination of multiple muscle groups to maintain balance and control. Static sitting, on the other hand, does not involve movement or require coordination, making it an equilibrium test.

During forward sway, the ankle strategy is activated to maintain balance. The Gastrocs (calf muscles), Hamstrings, and Paraspinals (back muscles) are all involved in this movement. The Gastrocs help to stabilize the ankle joint, while the Hamstrings and Paraspinals work to maintain the body's center of gravity and prevent falling forward.

A positive Romberg test with EC indicates a loss of proprioception. Proprioception refers to the body's ability to sense the position, movement, and orientation of its various parts. When proprioception is impaired, individuals may have difficulty coordinating their movements, maintaining balance, and perceiving their body's position in space. Therefore, a positive Romberg test with EC suggests a deficit in proprioceptive function.

The correct answer is the second option: "Control system w/ pre programmed instructions to an effector that doesn't use feedback & error detection." This is true about an Open Loop System because it operates based on predetermined instructions without taking feedback or error detection into account. It relies on a set program to control the effector without making adjustments based on the system's performance or external factors. The other options are not true about Open Loop Systems.

The motor cortex is responsible for controlling voluntary movements in the body. Brodmann's area 4, also known as the primary motor cortex, is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in the execution of movement. Brodmann's area 6, also known as the premotor cortex, is located just in front of the primary motor cortex and is involved in the planning and coordination of movements. Therefore, both Brodmann's area 4 and 6 are part of the motor cortex and play a role in controlling motor functions.