10 Higher Cortical Function Flashcards
How many distinct layers are there within the cerebral cortex?
6 distinct layers
Where are the major inputs to the cerebral cortex from and what are the major outputs to the cerebral cortex via?
Where do the outputs go to?
Outputs go to: other cortical regions, thalamus, spinal cord etc (widespread areas)
What is cortical localisation?
idea that different functions are found in different parts of cerebral cortex
What are the functions of the frontal lobes? (6) (ie what functions may be lost in frontal lobe syndrome)?
- Executive functions (purposeful goal directed behaviours) - take alot of cognitive effort
Why is it that a drunk person loses their inhibition and balance?
Alcohol affects frontal lobe: loss of inhibition (may be inappropriate)
Alcohol affects cerbellum (very sensitive to effects of alcohol): loss of balance
What are the functions of the parietal lobes? (6)
What are the functions of the temporal lobes? (7)
Outline the concept of cerebral dominance.
State whether or not the following functions are found in the left or right hemispheres of the brain:
Sequential processing:
- Language
- Mathematics/logic
Whole picture processing:
- Body image
- Visuospatial awareness
- Music
- Emotion
CEREBRAL DOMINANCE: ability of one cerebral hemisphere (commonly referred to as the left or right side of the brain) to predominately control specific tasks
Which artery supplies the corpus callosum?
Anterior cerebral artery
What is the corpus callosum?
Huge bundle of white matter connecting two hemipheres
What causes alien hand syndrome?
Damage to corpus callosum
One hand not controlled by mind- 2 hands not coordinated
Language pathways are primarily found in the (dominant) left hemisphere.
Name the 2 areas which facilitate language, show where they are found on the following diagram, outline how they work and how are they connected?
Outline the pathway (with reference to the areas in the left lobe of the brain) how we are able to repeat a heard word.
Outline the pathway (with reference to the areas in the left lobe of the brain) how we are able to say a word we have read.
Outline the pathway (with reference to the areas in the left lobe of the brain) how we are able to speak a thought.
If a patient presents to you and they speak fluently but they make no sense (ie they are speaking fluent jibberrish), what diagnosis might you suspect?
Wernicke’s aphasia
Wernicke’s area= damaged
Eg able to articulate but not answer a question
How might broca’s aphasia present?
Patient will be able to understand but will have difficulty articulating an answer
Staccato speech
Patient likely to be distressed by not being able to articulate
What are the 2 broad categories for memory?
Where are memories stored?
Not stored in discreet chunks of brain
Memories stored in distributed fashion throughout brain
ie alzeimers- globally affects brain
Where are the 2 different memory types stored? Why is it that riding a bike for example becomes easier once it’s been learnt?
In general terms, how do memories get stored?
Eg PTSD- vivid flashbacks due to emotional association
Stronger synaptic connections made- long term potentiation mechanism
Where does the hippocampus sit and what is it shaped like?
What is the function of the hippocampus?
Hippocampus= crucial for consolidating declarative memories
Receives input from all areas of brain
Hippocampus allows us to make associations- allows us to learn
What might be the consequences of the removal of the temporal lobe?
Not able to lay down any new memories if hippocampus removed (found deep in temporal lobe)
