Brain Flashcards
What is the Cerebral Cortex?
The outermost gray layer of cerebral hemispheres
What is the Corpus Callosum?
The connection between the two hemispheres of the Cerebrum
What 3 parts is the Brain Stem divided into?
Midbrain
Pons
Medulla
What is the Cerebellum responsible for?
Fine motor control
What is the Thalamus responsible for?
Relaying information to and from the cortex
What are the 4 major lobes of the brain?
Frontal
Parietal
Temporal
Occipital
What does the Hippocampus do and where is it found?
Plays a key role in memory and is embedded deep within the Temporal Lobe
What are the possible consequences of damage to the Hippocampus and name one real life example
If the Hippocampus is damaged or partially removed, the patient suffers profound amnesia. Inability to form new long-term memories e.g. Clive Wearing, H.M
What are two things the Temporal lobe is responsible for?
Memory
Knowledge
What is one of the possible consequences of damage to the Temporal Lobe and name one real life example.
Semantic Dementia: Gradually increasing difficulty in recalling familiar things while retaining recent events e.g. A.M
What are some things the Frontal Lobe does?
Initiating, modulating, planning behaviour
Strategic thinking, Problem solving
What are some consequences of damage to the Frontal lobe?
Change in personality, inability to plan things and incapable of strategic thinking
What is the Parietal Lobe responsible for?
Spatial, numerical processing
Short-term memory
Spatial Attention
What is a possible consequence of damage to the Parietal lobe and name one real life example
Unilateral Neglect: Unable to devote attention to a particular side even though there is no issue with seeing it e.g. Mrs. K
What is the Posterior TIp of the Occipital Lobe responsible for and what is one of the consequences of damage to this area? Give one real life example.
Primary Visual Cortex, the experience of consciously seeing.
Damage to this area of the brain may cause Cortical Blindness. e.g. Oliver Sacks (Colourless)
