Which area is primarily responsible for planning motor movement alongside the PMA?

The Supplementary Motor Area (SMA) plays a crucial role in planning and coordinating complex movements alongside the Premotor Area (PMA). It is situated on the medial surface of the frontal lobe and is specifically involved in the planning of voluntary motor actions. The SMA is particularly engaged in the organization of sequences of movements and is important for the execution of tasks that require a well-timed initiation of actions.

In collaboration with the PMA, which focuses more on the planning and coordination of movements in response to external stimuli, the SMA contributes significantly to the internal programming of movements, especially those that are self-initiated or involve the memory of sequences. This dual functionality is essential for complex motor skills, allowing for smoother and more coordinated movements.

The Primary Motor Cortex is directly involved in the execution of voluntary movements but does not partake in the planning phase as prominently as the SMA. The Motor Association Area encompasses a broader range of regions that take part in higher-level processing related to movement but lacks the specific focus of the SMA in planning the sequences of motor activities. The Basal Ganglia, while integral to the modulation and regulation of motor activity, are not specifically tied to the planning phase of movement on their own but rather assist in refining and controlling