3.6-3.7: The Subcortical Brain, the Brainstem, and the Cerebellum Flashcards
A system often associated with emotion; bridges the older, lower brain regions that regulate the body with the newer, higher brain structures more related to complex mental functions
Limbic system
A component of the limbic system crucial for certain aspects of memory, the ability to navigate the environment, and the ability to think about the future
Hippocampus
A component of the limbic system important for registering the emotional significance of events
Amygdala
A group of interconnected structures that are an evolutionarily older subcortical motor system necessary for planning and executing movement
Basal ganglia
A subcortical structure deep in the middle of the brain; communicates information to and from all of the sensory systems except the olfactory (smell) system, regulating alertness and consciousness
Thalamus
The master controller of the brain and body; integrates bodily signals with their associated feelings and behaviors; regulates specific functions including hunger, body rhythms, reward seeking, and aggression
Hypothalamus
The lowest region of the brain; it sits on top of and is continuous with the spinal cord, collecting sensory signals from the body and sending signals down from the brain to create movement and regulate vital functions
Brainstem
An upper brainstem structure that controls breathing and relays sensations, such as hearing, taste, and balance, to the subcortex and cortex
Pons
A lower brainstem structure that controls autonomic functions, including heart rate and blood pressure, and reflexes like coughing and swallowing
Medulla oblongata
A structure that runs through the brainstem and is connected to many parts of the brain; plays a central role in arousal and attention
Reticular formation
A hindbrain structure that supports a variety of functions, including coordination, balance, and accurate timing
Cerebellum
