Brain Anatomy

Question 1

Role of frontal lobe

Answer 1

Located at the front of the cerebrum, anterior to the central sulcus. Containing:

1. Primary motor area
2. Premotor area
3. Broca’s speech area
4. Orbitofrontal cortex
5. Prefrontal cortex
6. Frontal eye field

Question 2

Role of parietal lobe

Answer 2

Midsection of the cerebrum, posterior to the central sulcus. Containing:

1. Primary somatosensory area
2. Primary gustatory area
3. Somatosensory association area
4. Wernicke’s area

Question 3

Role of occipital lobe

Answer 3

Posterior portion of the cerebrum. Containing:

1. Primary visual area
2. Visual association area

Damage to this lobe can cause visual problems such as difficulty recognizing objects, an inability to identify colors, and trouble recognizing words.

Question 4

Role of temporal lobe

Answer 4

Inferolateral section of the cerebrum. This lobe is also the location of the primary auditory cortex, important for interpreting sounds and language. The hippocampus is also located in the temporal lobe, which is why this portion of the brain is also heavily associated with the formation of memories. Damage to the temporal lobe can lead to problems with memory, speech perception, and language skills.

Question 5

Role of cerebellum

Answer 5

This structure is associated with motor movement and control, but this is not because the motor commands originate here. Instead, the cerebellum serves to modify these signals and make motor movements accurate and useful. Co-ordination of voluntary movements, posture, balance

Question 6

Role of the thalamus

Answer 6

Located above the brainstem, the thalamus processes and transmits movement and sensory information. It is essentially a relay station, taking in sensory information and then passing it on to the cerebral cortex. The cerebral cortex also sends information to the thalamus, which then sends this information to other systems.

Question 7

Role of limbic system

Answer 7

The limbic system is comprised of four main structures: the amygdala, the hippocampus, regions of the limbic cortex and the septal area. These structures form connections between the limbic system and the hypothalamus, thalamus and cerebral cortex. The hippocampus is important in memory and learning, while the limbic system itself is central in the control of emotional responses.

Question 8

Role of midbrain

Answer 8

The midbrain controls many important functions such as the visual and auditory systems as well as eye movement. Portions of the midbrain called the red nucleus and the substantia nigra are involved in the control of body movement. The darkly pigmented substantia nigra contains a large number of dopamine-producing neurons are located.

Question 9

Broca’s area

Answer 9

Lies anterior to inferior region of premotor cortex usually in left hemisphere Involved in motor speech Expressive region

Question 10

Wernickes area

Answer 10

Posterior region of superior temporal lobe It is involved in processing spoken and written language Damage of this are results in receptive dysphasia

Question 11

Medulla oblangata

Answer 11

Involved in the bodies automatic functions - controlling heart rate, breathing rate, blood vessel diameter, vomiting and coughing