Answer
The pyramidal cells of the precentral gyrus are called the upper motor neurons. Their fibers project caudally, with the greatest number of them ending in the nuclei of the brainstem. Some of these fibers constitute the corticospinal tracts. In the pyramidal decussation of the medulla, most of these fibers cross over to the opposite side to form the lateral corticospinal tracts.. The smaller number of fibers which travel through the medulla without decussating there, form the anterior corticospinal tracts which cross over caudally in the spinal cord.. This means that each precentral gyrus controls muscles on the contralateral side of the body.
Work Step by Step
In the brainstem or spinal cord, axons from upper motor neurons synapse with lower motor neurons . The axons of lower motor neurons innervate skeletal muscles.
