Britannica AI Icon

Quick Summary

The motor cortex is a region within the cerebral cortex responsible for conscious control of movements. It is located in the frontal lobe, just in front of the central sulcus, forming the primary motor area. This area contains a map of the body, with different regions corresponding to specific body parts, controlling voluntary movements of the trunk and limbs by coordinating muscle contractions. The motor cortex receives sensory information from the body, allowing it to adjust movements based on feedback. Other areas, like the premotor cortex and supplementary motor area, are also involved in planning and organizing movements, especially complex or rapid ones.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.