Which area of the prefrontal cortex is primarily involved in planning and executing movements in response to stimuli?

The premotor cortex plays a crucial role in the planning and execution of movements in response to stimuli. It is located anterior to the primary motor cortex and is primarily involved in the preparation of motor actions. This area integrates sensory information and coordinates the planning of movements based on that information, allowing for more complex and purposeful actions.

When a stimulus is perceived, the premotor cortex becomes activated to organize the necessary motor sequences before they are executed by the primary motor cortex. It is also involved in the learning and adjustment of motor activities based on environmental cues, which is vital for executing movements in a dynamic environment.

In contrast, while the primary motor cortex is responsible for the direct execution of voluntary movements by sending signals to the muscles, it does not significantly engage in the planning stage. The supplementary motor area, although related, primarily focuses on the planning of movement sequences and coordination but is less involved in the immediate responsiveness to external stimuli than the premotor cortex. Broca's area, on the other hand, is primarily associated with language production, rather than motor movement planning.