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Direct Motor Pathways

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The direct motor pathways, also known as the pyramidal tracts, are a group of neural pathways that originate in the brain and descend through the spinal cord. They control the voluntary movement of the body. There are two major direct motor pathways: the corticospinal and the corticobulbar tracts.
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Cranial Nerves: Types Part II

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Indirect Motor Pathways

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Cranial Nerves: Types Part I

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Ocular Kinematics Measured by In Vitro Stimulation of the Cranial Nerves in the Turtle

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Orofacial Movements Involve Parallel Corticobulbar Projections from Motor Cortex to Trigeminal Premotor Nuclei.

Nicole Mercer Lindsay¹, Per M Knutsen², Adrian F Lozada²

¹Section of Neurobiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.

|October 8, 2019

Summary

Neurons in the orofacial motor cortex (MCtx) coordinate complex behaviors. MCtx corticobulbar neurons project to distinct premotor nuclei, enabling parallel pathways for integrated motor control.

Keywords:

active sensing brain maps chewing feeding sniffing whisking

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Last Updated: Jan 6, 2026

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Published on: June 2, 2018

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Stimulating the Lip Motor Cortex with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

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Published on: June 14, 2014

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Motor Control
Corticobulbar Projections

Background:

The orofacial motor cortex (MCtx) plays a crucial role in orchestrating complex motor behaviors.
Understanding the precise neural pathways from MCtx to premotor nuclei is essential for deciphering motor control mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate how neurons in the orofacial motor cortex (MCtx) coordinate complex behaviors.
To elucidate the projection patterns of MCtx corticobulbar neurons to premotor nuclei and their role in motor output.

Main Methods:

Focal activation of MCtx corticobulbar neurons.
Retrograde viral tracing from orofacial muscles.
Selective optogenetic activation of corticobulbar neurons based on projection targets.

Main Results:

Focal MCtx activation elicited concurrent movements of forelimb, jaw, nose, and vibrissae.
MCtx projections formed bouton gradients across trigeminal premotor nuclei (SpVO and SpVIr).
Premotor nuclei segregated outputs, with differential innervation of forelimb, vibrissa, and jaw muscles.

Conclusions:

Neighboring MCtx projection neurons form parallel pathways to distinct premotor neuron pools.
This organization facilitates the coordination of diverse motor actions into integrated behaviors.
MCtx exerts superimposed control over orofacial and forelimb motor actions through segregated premotor pathways.