Definition
The motor cortex is the part of the cerebral cortex in the brain that controls voluntary movements. It's like the brain's keyboard for playing the body. It's located in the frontal lobe and divided into regions that correspond to different body parts. Signals originate here and travel down to muscles, initiating movement. The primary motor cortex is the main area; other areas assist in planning and coordinating movements. Damage to this area can cause paralysis or weakness.