Brain Quiz - Functions Flashcards
auditory cortex strip of cortex in the temporal lobe that is responsible for processing auditory information
visual cortex The visual processing areas of cortex in the occipital lobes.
spinal cord pathway for neural fibers traveling to and from brain; controls simple reflexes
corpus callosum axon fibers connecting the two cerebral hemispheres
medulla
The base of the brainstem. Controls heartbeat and breathing.
pons
helps coordinate movement and control sleep
thalamus
the brains ‘sensory switch board’ Located at top of brainstem; directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla.
reticular formation
nerve network that travels through the brainstem into the thalamus; it filters information and plays an important role in controlling arousal
cerebellum
“little brain” at the rear of the brainstem; functions including processing sensory input, coordinating movement output and balance, and enabling nonverbal learning and memory.
limbic system
A system of neural structures at the border of brainstem. Associated with emotions like fear, agression, and drives such as those for food and sex. Includes the Hippocampus, Amygdala and hypothalamus.
amygdala
2 Lima bean sized neural clusters in the limbic system, linked to emotion. Includes rage and fear.
hippocampus
neural system in the Limbic system. helps process learning and explicit (conscious) memories–of facts and events–for storage
hypothalamus
A neural structure lying below the thalamus, it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature) helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward.
cerebral cortex
Fabric of interconnected neuron cells. Higher order thinking. Takes meaning and puts it to focus. The body’s ultimate control and information-processing center.
frontal lobes
the portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgements.
motor cortex
an area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements.
temporal lobes
The portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughyl above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each of which revieves aditory info primarily from the opposite end.
parietal lobes
Parietal lobes The portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; includes the sensory cortex. Receives sensory input for touch and body position.
occipital lobes
the portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes the visual areas, which receive visual info from the opposite visual field.
somatosensory cortex
the area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations.
auditory cortex
strip of cortex in the temporal lobe that is responsible for processing auditory information
visual cortex
The visual processing areas of cortex in the occipital lobes.
association areas
areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking
pituitary gland
The endocrine system’s most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands.
spinal cord
pathway for neural fibers traveling to and from brain; controls simple reflexes
corpus callosum
axon fibers connecting the two cerebral hemispheres
