Question

an upper motor neuron originates in the cerebral cortex or brainstem and terminates on a lower motor neuron in the spinal cord. the upper motor neuron is therefore considered an .

Answer 1

The target of an upper motor neuron is the lower motor neuron, which then connects to skeletal muscle to enable muscle contraction.

Step-by-step explanation:

The target of an upper motor neuron is the lower motor neuron. Upper motor neurons have their cell bodies in the primary motor cortex of the cerebral cortex and synapse on the lower motor neurons located in the ventral horn of the spinal cord.

The lower motor neuron, in turn, sends nerve impulses to the skeletal muscles, causing them to contract. Key areas such as the precentral gyrus of the frontal cortex are specialized for initiating movement signals that descend down to the spinal cord. Descending pathways are crucial for voluntary muscle movements and form a complex network of neuronal communications that enable control over skeletal muscles.