Motor system facts for kids

The motor system is a super important part of your central nervous system that helps you move! Think of it as the control center for all your actions, from walking and running to writing and even blinking.

This amazing system has two main parts that work together: the pyramidal motor system and the extrapyramidal motor system.

What is the Motor System?

Your motor system is like the brain's command center for movement. It sends signals from your brain and spinal cord to your muscles, telling them exactly what to do. This allows you to perform all sorts of actions, whether they are big movements like jumping or small, precise ones like threading a needle.

The Pyramidal System: Your Direct Movement Path

The pyramidal system is often called the "direct pathway" for movement. It's like a super-fast highway for signals that control your voluntary movements.

Where Does it Start?

This system begins in the motor cortex, which is a special area in the outer layer of your brain (the cerebral cortex). This is where your brain decides to make a movement.

The Journey Down

From the motor cortex, the signals travel down through different parts of your brain, like the midbrain and medulla oblongata. Then, they continue all the way down your spinal cord.

Reaching Your Muscles

Once the signals reach the spinal cord, they connect with special nerves called peripheral motor nerves. These nerves then carry the "move it!" messages directly to your muscles, making them contract and allowing you to move. This system is key for movements you consciously control, like kicking a ball or picking up a pencil.

The Extrapyramidal System: The Movement Fine-Tuner

The extrapyramidal system doesn't directly start movements, but it's incredibly important for making them smooth, balanced, and coordinated. It's like the editor that polishes your movements.

How it Works

This system involves other parts of your brain, especially the basal ganglia and the cerebellum. These areas work behind the scenes to adjust and refine the signals coming from the pyramidal system.

Making Movements Smooth

Imagine trying to write your name. The pyramidal system tells your hand to move, but the extrapyramidal system helps make sure your letters are smooth and not shaky. It helps with things like:

• Keeping your balance
• Controlling your posture
• Making sure movements are fluid and not jerky
• Helping with automatic movements, like swinging your arms when you walk

This function is often called "modulation of movement" because it tweaks and fine-tunes the messages to make your actions just right.

An Ancient System

Both the pyramidal and extrapyramidal systems are very old in terms of evolution. Scientists believe they have been around for a very long time and are found in almost all animals with backbones, from fish to humans! This shows how fundamental movement control is for life.