Ch 3 - Parts of the brain shiz Flashcards
corpus callosum
thick band of neural fibers connecting the brain’s two hemispheres
gyrus (plural: gyri)
bump or ridge on the cerebral cortex
lateralization
concept that each hemisphere of the brain is associated with specialized functions
longitudinal fissure
deep groove in the brain’s cortex
sulcus (plural: sulci)
depressions or grooves in the cerebral cortex
auditory cortex
strip of cortex in the temporal lobe that is responsible for processing auditory information
Broca’s area
region in the left hemisphere that is essential for language production
cerebral cortex
surface of the brain that is associated with our highest mental capabilities
forebrain
largest part of the brain, containing the cerebral cortex, the thalamus, and the limbic system, among other structures
frontal lobe
part of the cerebral cortex involved in reasoning, motor control, emotion, and language; contains motor cortex
motor cortex
strip of cortex involved in planning and coordinating movement
occipital lobe
part of the cerebral cortex associated with visual processing; contains the primary visual cortex
parietal lobe
part of the cerebral cortex involved in processing various sensory and perceptual information; contains the primary somatosensory cortex
prefrontal cortex
area in the frontal lobe responsible for higher-level cognitive functioning
somatosensory cortex
essential for processing sensory information from across the body, such as touch, temperature, and pain
temporal lobe
part of cerebral cortex associated with hearing, memory, emotion, and some aspects of language; contains primary auditory cortex
Wernicke’s area
important for speech comprehension
amygdala
structure in the limbic system involved in our experience of emotion and tying emotional meaning to our memories
cerebellum
hindbrain structure that controls our balance, coordination, movement, and motor skills, and it is thought to be important in processing some types of memory
hindbrain
division of the brain containing the medulla, pons, and cerebellum
hippocampus
structure in the temporal lobe associated with learning and memory
hypothalamus
forebrain structure that regulates sexual motivation and behavior and a number of homeostatic processes; serves as an interface between the nervous system and the endocrine system
limbic system
collection of structures involved in processing emotion and memory
medulla
hindbrain structure that controls automated processes like breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate
midbrain
division of the brain located between the forebrain and the hindbrain; contains the reticular formation
pons
hindbrain structure that connects the brain and spinal cord; involved in regulating brain activity during sleep
reticular formation
midbrain structure important in regulating the sleep/wake cycle, arousal, alertness, and motor activity
thalamus
sensory relay for the brain
ventral tegmental area (VTA)
midbrain structure where dopamine is produced: associated with mood, reward, and addiction
brain stem
the central trunk of the mammalian brain, consisting of the medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain, and continuing downward to form the spinal cord