How does the brain use the nervous system to control muscles?

Let’s delve into how the brain and nervous system work together to control muscles:

0.1 Neurons and Motor Pathways:

• Neurons carry messages between the brain and muscles via the spinal cord.
• Outgoing signals travel from the brain along motor pathways to activate muscles in the body.
• The neurons responsible for these pathways are called motor neurons.

02. Motor Cortex and Muscle Control:

• The motor cortex in the brain plays a crucial role.
• Neurons in the primary motor cortex (such as Betz cells) synapse with lower motor neurons in the brainstem or spinal cord.
• These connections allow precise control over muscle movements.

03. Neuromuscular Junction:

• When you decide to move a muscle, the brain sends signals.
• At the neuromuscular junction, neurons release a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine.
• Acetylcholine binds to receptors on the muscle fiber’s cell wall (sarcolemma), initiating muscle contraction