6- localisation of function Flashcards
what does localisation of function refer to
functions have specific locations within the brain
where are the visual centres
visual cortex is in the occipital lobe of both hemispheres
where are the auditory centres
auditory cortex is in the temporal lobe of both hemispheres
describe the auditory pathway
- sound waves converted to impulses in the cochlea
- auditory nerve carries impulses from ear–>auditory cortex
- basic decoding = brain stem
- further processing = thalamus
- then impulse reaches the auditory cortex
describe visual processing
- light strikes photoreceptors
- optic nerve transmits impulses from retina–> brain
- majority terminate in the thalamus
- thalamus acts as a relay station and passes info –> visual cortex
what does the motor cortex do
- generate voluntary motor movements
- different parts control different body parts
- areas are arranged logically next to each other
where is the motor cortex
frontal lobe of both hemispheres
what does the somatosensory cortex do
- detect sensory events from different regions in the body
- produces sensations (e.g. touch, pressure, pain, temperature) which it localises to specific body parts
where is the somatosensory cortex
parietal lobe of both hemispheres
where is the Broca’s area
left hemisphere of the frontal lobe
what is expressive aphasia
- damage to Broca’s area
- affects language production
- speech lacks fluency
where is the Wernicke’s area
left hemisphere of the temporal lobe
what is receptive aphasia
- damage to Wernicke’s area
- impaired ability to understand language
how is the Wernicke’s area connected to the Broca’s area
by a neural loop
negative evaluation of localisation of function (5)
- some functions are more localised than others
- equipotentiality theory: higher mental functions aren’t localised
- language is a more widely distributed skill than originally thought (2 of Broca’s patients had many areas damaged)
- individual differences in which brain activities are activated when reading silently
- how brain areas communicate may be more important than specific regions
