Complex Brain Functions and Movement

The part of the brain that oversees movement is complex, mainly because the brain itself is complex. The motor strip is a very narrow piece that extends from the top of the head down to the area where your ear is located. If that strip is damaged a person will have problems controlling half of their body. Basically if a person has a stroke in the left side of the brain the right side will be effected and vice versa injury to the right hemisphere will cause the left side of the brain to will have trouble working, and in some cases the opposite side may cease functioning all together.

When a person experiences paralysis which can either be partial or total in nature, many body functions are affected, along with many different parts of the brain since tasks such as movement require many parts of the brain to multi-task and work together.

The brain stem is responsible for vestibular function or a sense of balance. People with cerebral problems effecting the brain stem will most likely have problems with vertigo or balance and movement issues. True vertigo can be categorized as balance issues, dizziness which is associated with nausea and vomiting.

The cerebellum which is located at the base of the skull just below the occipital lobes, fine tunes motor activity and movement. Precise movements such as fingers needed to paint a picture are effected if the person has damage to his or hers cerebellum. Although the cerebellum doesn't initiate movement it does however help with controlling posture or equilibrium. If the cerebellum is damaged the person will lose the ability to put together movements such as reaching out to grab objects, making rapid movements, loss of coordination and in some instances the ability to walk.

The mid-brain is an epicenter for ocular motion and several cranial nerves in the mid portion of the brain control movement such as eye, swallowing, tongue and body movement.

Research studies of the brain have determined that when touching one side of the brain, electrical signals are given off to the other side of the body. Therefore touching the motor cortex on the left affects the right side of the body and right sided movement problems become evident. This same concept happens when touching the other side of the body, so if a person has a brain tumor in the right hemisphere, the left side of the body may be weakened or in some cases paralyzed.

The frontal lobes is the largest section of the brain and responsible for many different problems including a person's motor skills. Motor skills include voluntary movements.

References for this article include:

kidshealth.org/kid/htbw/brain.html
thebrain.mcgill.ca/flash/d/d_06/d_06_cr/d_06_cr_mou/d_06_cr_mou.html
www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/brain_basics/know_your_brain.htm