Brain Parts and Functions Flashcards
Telencephalon
- Largest part of the brain
- Mediates brains most complex functions like interpreting touch, vison hearing, speech, reasoning, emotions, learning and fine control of movement
Corpus Callosum
- largest cerebral comissure
- connects hemispheres
- transmits messages from one side to the other
Cerebral comissures
fiber bundles that connect the left and right hemispheres of the brain
Left hemisphere
Responsible for language and speech, comprehension, arithmetic and writing. Dominant in hand use
Right hemisphere
Creativity, spatial ability, artistic and musical skills, plays large part in interpretation of visual information and spatial processing
Cerebral Cortex
-tissue layer that covers the cerebral hemispheres
-contains Gyrus (folds)
-and wrinkles between folds -Sulcus
- Mainly composed of Gray matter (unmyelinated small neurons)
.Layer beneath cortex composed of white matter
Neocortex
- 90% of cerebral cortex is called Neocortex
- Divided in six layers
-Cortical Neurons
- Pyramidal cells
- Stellate cells
-many long axons and dendrites course vertically through neocortx. Vertical flow of information is the basis of neocortex columnar organisation.
Columnar Organisation
Often form small circuit that performs single function
Hippocampus
Located at medial edge of cerebral cortex in medial temporal lobe. (sea horse shape)
-major role in memory ( esp. spatial location)
Precentral gyrus
Largest gyrus in frontal lobe. In front of postcentral gyrus
Postcentral gyrus
Located in Parietal lobe. Location of primary somatosensory cortex (=main sensory receptive area for sense of touch)
Superior temporal gyrus
In temporal lobe. Involved in perception of facial stimuli, auditory processing, function of language
Cingulate gyrus
Curved fold covering the corpus callosum. Component of limbic system. Involved in emotion processing and behaviour regulation. Helps regulate autonomic motor functions
Longitudinal fissure
Separates left and right hemisphere
Central fissure and lateral fissure
Divide hemispheres in four lobes (prontal, parietal, temporal and occipital)
Frontal lobe
- Personality, behaviour, emotions, judgement, planning, problem solving
- Speech : Speaking and writing (Brocas area)
- Intelligence, concentration, self awareness
Parietal lobe
Interprets language and words. Analyses sensation as touch, pain, temperature (sensory strip)
Occipital lobe
Interprets visual perception (color, light, movement)
Temporal lobe
Three functional areas
- Superior temporal gyrus- Involved in hearing and language (Wernickes area)
- Inferior temporal cortex- Involved in identifying complex visual patterns
- Medial temporal cortex- Important for certain kind of memory
Limbic System
Circuit of midline structures that circle thalamus
Consists of
-Hippocampus
-Amygdala
-Fornix
-Cingulate Cortex
-Mammillary body
-Septum
–> center of emotions, learning and memory
regulation of motivated behaviours (fleeing, feeding, fighting, fcking)
Hippocampus
Three major layers,
Involved in learning, memory and spatial awareness.
Plays important row in consolidating short term memory into long term
Amygdala
Part of basal ganglia
Processing of memory, decision making and emotional responses (fear, anxiety, aggression)
Associated with reward system
(Important in PTSD and bipolar disorder)
Fornix
Major tract of limbic system.
Connects mammilary body with hippocampus
Long term information related
