Cerebral Cortex Flashcards
What is a primary area in regards to the cerebral cortex?
Areas that have paired/matching areas in each lobe & or each hemisphere
What is functional contra-laterality?
To control events happening on the other side of the body
Define topography
The act of mapping an area
What are Secondary/Association areas in regards to the cerebral cortex?
Areas present in only one hemisphere
What is cerebral dominance/Functional asymmetry?
the normal tendency for one side of the brain to control particular functions e.g. left cerebral cortex is devoted to language functions whilst the right cerebral function is devoted to spatial awareness/attention.
What are the four primary cortical areas and where are they present?
Primary Somatosensory (S1) Cortex – It is present in the L & R parietal lobes
Primary Motor (M1) Cortex - It is present in the L & R frontal lobes
Primary Auditory (A1) Cortex - It is present in the L &R temporal lobes
Primary Visual (V1) Cortex - It is present in the L & R occipital lobes
Where is the Primary Somatosensory (S1) cortex found?
In the post central gyrus which is next to the central sulcus.
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/436/587/617/a_image_thumb.jpg?1602107206)
Define unilateral
relating to or affecting only one side of an organ, the body, or another structure.
What does unilateral damage of the Primary Somatosensory (S1) cortex cause?
Unilateral damage results in hemi-anaesthesia (loss of tactile, thermal, pain & joint sensation)- in this case on the opposite side of the body.
What is a topographic representation (a.k.a a map) of the Primary Somatosensory cortex (S1) called?
Sensory Homonculus.
(Size of body parts is proportionate to the sensory input they give out).
(The toe side is medial and the face side is lateral)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/436/587/628/a_image_thumb.jpg?1602108681)
What are characteristic features of the Sensory Homonculus ?
Inverted (as it goes in order of genitals and feet to mouth nose and eyes)
&
Distorted ( distorted because size of regions is proportional to input recieved by that region e.g. fingertip region is drawn larger as it is a high density sensory neuron area)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/436/587/631/a_image_thumb.jpg?1602108965)
Why is the pre-central gyrus called the pre-central gyrus?
It is infront of the central sulcus.
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/436/587/636/a_image_thumb.jpg?1602109158)
What does unilateral damage of the Primary Motor (M1) cortex result in?
Hemi-plegia (paralysis) - this occurs on the opposite side of body)
What is a topographic representation (a.k.a a map) of the Primary Motor (M1) cortex called?
Motor Homonculus
What are characteristics of the Motor Homonculus and why?
It is inverted
and
distorted ( the size of each body part is proportional to the number of muscles it has).