Brain Lobes Flashcards
What is the largest part of the human nervous system?
The brain
Contains between 10 and 100 billion nerve cells
What are the primary functions of the brain?
Basic survival functions and higher order thinking
Includes processes like problem solving and planning
What is the cerebrum responsible for?
Starts and manages conscious thought
What covers the cerebrum?
A thin layer known as the cerebral cortex
How many lobes are in each cerebral hemisphere?
Four lobes
The lobes are frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital
What is the role of the cerebral cortex?
Allows us to undertake both simple and complex tasks
What is the approximate thickness of the cerebral cortex?
Approximately 3 mm
What is the function of blood vessels in the cerebral cortex?
Carry oxygen and glucose for energy supply
What are primary cortices responsible for?
Receive and process initial sensory information from the thalamus
What are association areas?
Cerebral cortical areas that are not primary cortices
What cognitive processes is the frontal lobe associated with?
Attention, planning, problem-solving, and aspects of personality
What is Broca’s area responsible for?
Speech production
What does the primary motor cortex control?
Executing voluntary movement
What is the contralateral organization of the frontal lobe?
The left primary motor cortex controls the right side of the body and vice versa
What issues may arise from frontal lobe damage?
Inability to learn from experiences, mistakes in planning, problems with creativity
Includes lack of foresight and divergent thinking
What is the primary function of the parietal lobe?
Processing sensations like touch, pressure, temperature, and pain
What does the primary somatosensory cortex enable?
Spatial awareness and skills
What happens if the right primary somatosensory cortex is damaged?
Inability to process sensory information for parts of the left side of the body
What is the primary function of the temporal lobe?
Processing auditory information
What complex task does the temporal lobe perform?
Understanding human speech or listening to music
What is linked to the emotional content of memories?
Temporal lobe
What is the primary function of the occipital lobe?
Concerned with vision
What does the primary visual cortex do?
Integrates and processes visual stimuli
What can damage to the occipital lobe cause?
Visual impairment
What percentage of the brain is made up of association areas?
75%
What is the role of Broca’s area in language?
Coordinates movement of the lips, tongue, and vocal cords for speech
What part of the brain is involved in emotional regulation?
Limbic system, especially the amygdala
What functions does the prefrontal cortex serve?
Making plans, regulating emotion, and focusing thoughts
What is Wernicke’s area responsible for?
Interpreting the meaning of language
What happens if the left temporal lobe is damaged?
Difficulty in understanding written and spoken language
What can damage to the right temporal lobe cause?
Difficulty recognizing songs, faces, or paintings
