Page 1 - UNIT 3

LESSON 3: Contributions of the cerebellum and basal ganglia to the
overall motor control

There are three structures that are essential for normal motor function:

1. The cerebral cortex.

2. The cerebellum. Neither of these two can control muscle function by
themselves, they always function in association with other
3. The basal ganglia. systems of motor control.

Functions of cerebellum:
1) It plays major roles in the timing of motor activities and in rapid, smooth progression from one
muscle movement to the next.
2) It helps to control the intensity of muscle contraction when the muscle load changes (cuando la
carga o peso que soporta el músculo cambia).
3) It restrains the necessary instantaneous regulation between agonist and antagonist muscle
groups.

1