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In the premotor cortex, name the functions of area 8 and 8A

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Final answer:

Area 8 in the premotor cortex oversees eye movement control, while area 8A contributes to complex coordination aspects related to spatial awareness. The premotor cortex helps plan movements, and the supplemental motor area coordinates and maintains posture during such movements. These areas are integral to the motor function and coordination orchestrated by the frontal lobe.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the premotor cortex, area 8, commonly referred to as the frontal eye fields, is primarily responsible for the voluntary control of eye movement. This region plays a crucial role in the coordination of eye movements in response to visual stimuli. Area 8A, however, while not as commonly delineated as area 8, assists in more complex aspects of movement coordination, including those movements involving spatial awareness and attention required for activities such as navigating space or preparing for action in response to a stimulus. The frontal lobe is intricately involved with motor functions, and anterior to this primary motor cortex lies the premotor cortex, which is essential for planning and organizing movements. Within the premotor cortex, the secondary motor cortices are particularly involved in the generation of motor responses initiated by the executive functions of the prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex itself is crucial for abstract reasoning and judgment, which are antecedent to planning movements. The supplemental motor area, another important part of the premotor region, is focused on the planning and coordination of movement, particularly those that are learned and sequential. It maintains posture during movement by controlling the core muscles. This fine-tuned motor control is vital for complex actions, such as driving a car or preparing to hit a tennis ball, as it helps to prime the body for the required actions.

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