Final answer:
The three functional pathways from the posterior parietal region travel to the premotor cortex (dorsal stream), the medial temporal lobe (ventral stream), and the prefrontal cortex. They are crucial for integrating visual information with motor functions, contributing to memory formation, and assisting executive functions for planned actions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The three functional pathways leaving the posterior parietal region and traveling to different areas of the brain are key to understanding how the central nervous system contributes to somatic functions and guides motor behavior in response to sensory inputs. These pathways are:
- Dorsal stream: This pathway projects to the premotor cortex, integrating visual information with motor functions to guide movements in relation to visual stimuli.
- Ventral stream: It connects with structures in the medial temporal lobe responsible for long-term memory formation.
- The pathway to the prefrontal cortex: Implicated in executive functions like working memory, judgment, and planning.
The prefrontal cortex, with its complex role in cognition, connects with both the premotor and the medial temporal regions to contribute to goal-directed behaviors. Sensory information received in the parietal lobe influences the activity in these pathways, which then coordinate with motor functions to execute actions. The synchronization between sensory perception, cognitive processes, and motor responses is crucial for carrying out organized and planned actions.