Which statement about afferent signals in motor control is correct?

• A. They carry sensory information to the central nervous system
• B. They carry motor commands from the brain to muscles
• C. They carry signals only to the cerebellum
• D. They are the same as efferent signals

Answer: (A)

Afferent signals bring sensory information toward the central nervous system from receptors throughout the body. They include proprioceptive input from muscles and joints, touch, temperature, and pain, providing the brain with data about limb position, force, and the external environment. This sensory feedback is essential for planning, adjusting, and refining movements. In contrast, efferent signals carry motor commands from the brain to muscles to produce movement. Afferents aren’t limited to the cerebellum; they ascend to many regions of the CNS, including the spinal cord, brainstem, thalamus, and cortex. So, afferent signals carry sensory information to the central nervous system.