Final answer:
In motor pathways, both the cerebral cortex (especially the primary motor cortex) and the cerebral nuclei are involved. The cerebral cortex initiates and controls voluntary movement, while the cerebral nuclei modulate these actions. The cerebellum, though not a direct part of the motor pathway, influences movement through its integration with motor and sensory information.
Step-by-step explanation:
The components that may be included in motor pathways include the cerebral cortex, particularly the primary motor cortex, and cerebral nuclei, also known as basal ganglia. The cerebral cortex is involved in planning, controlling, and executing voluntary movements. Motor commands from the primary motor cortex are sent down axons of the Betz cells to activate lower motor neurons in brain stem nuclei or in the spinal cord ventral horn.
The cerebellum also plays a critical role in coordination and fine-tuning of movements but is not typically classified within the direct motor pathways; instead, it works alongside them via the cortico-ponto-cerebellar pathway. The basal nuclei are responsible for assessing cortical movement commands and are implicated in conditions such as Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases. These structures contribute to the modulation and execution of movement plans designed in the cortex.