Brain parts and functions Flashcards
(20 cards)
brainstem
- connects cerebrum and spinal cord
- controls life supporting functions
medulla
- base of the brainstem
- controls unconscious behaviors (breathing, heartbeat)
Pons
- above the medulla
- coordinates movement
reticular formation
- nerve networks strung thru thalamus & brainstem
- arousal (sleep,walk,pain tolerance) & consciousness
Thalamus
- on top of brainstem
- relays sensory & motor signals to cerebral cortex
cerebellum
- rear of the brainstem
- coordinates voluntary movements (balance, speech)
limbic system
- surrounds the thalamus
- hippocampus, amygdala, hypothalamus
- memory, emotion, regulating life supporting functions
hippocampus
- ring around the thalamus
- learning and memory
amygdala
- lima bean sized clusters at ends of hippocampus
- ability to feel motion & perceive it to others
hypothalamus
- below the thalamus
- regulates body temp, heartbeat, hunger
- governs endocrine system
cerebrum & cerebral cortex
- cerebrum is the 4 lobes
- cerebral cortex is thin layer of 20bill neurons covering the cerebrum
- plays role in consciousness , attention, thought, etc.
corpus callosum
- middle line of brain, connecting 2 hemispheres
- transports messages received from one side to the other
Frontal Lobe
- front of the cerebrum
- speaking, judgement, personality, concentration
motor cortex
- rear of frontal lobe
- sends messages to body to perform actions
parietal lobe
- middle of cerebrum
- sense of touch/pain
- spacial awareness
- concept of time
sensory cortex
- front of parietal; next to motor cortex
- processes inputs of sensory information
occipital lobe
- back of cerebrum
- sight, color recognition, motion detection
visual cortex
- occipital lobe
- receives & processes visual information
temporal lobe
- on sides of cerebrum, just above the ears
- responsible for hearing and emotional responses
auditory cortex
- temporal lobe
- receives & processes sounds, language, etc.
