Chapter 2: Structure & Function Flashcards
Phylogenetic Division
Groups parts of the brain based on developmental history and evolutionary history
Forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain
Brain Stem
Medulla and pons (in hindbrain), + midbrain and some structures of the forebrain
Medulla Oblongata
Transmits info from spinal cord to brain & regulates life support functions (respiration, blood pressure, coughing, sneezing, heart rate, vomiting)
Pons
Neural relay center, facilitates crossover of info between left side of body and right side of brain (and vice versa)
Also involved in balance and processing visual and auditory info
Cerebellum
Neurons coordinate muscular activity, balance, general motor behaviour/coordination
One of most primitive brain structures
Lesions can cause irregular/jerky movements, tremors, balance impairments
Implicated in ability to shift attention between visual and auditory stimuli, and dealing with temporal stimuli (e.g. rhythm)
Midbrain
Located in middle of brain
Tectum & tegmentum
Reticular formation
Tectum & Tegmentum
Involved in relaying info between brain regions (e.g. cerebellum and forebrain)
Reticular Formation
Keeps us awake and alert, involved in sudden arousal to respond to threat
Forebrain: Subcortical Structures
Thalamus
Hypothalamus
Hippocampus
Amygdala
Cerebellum
Medulla
Spinal cord
Entorhinal cortex
Olfactory bulb
Thalamus
Switching station for sensory information; also involved in memory
Hypothalamus
Regulates basic biological functions, including hunger, thirst, temperature, and sexual arousal; also involved in emotions
Hippocampus
Involved in learning, memory and emotions (indexing system for memories, search engine)
Amygdala
Involved in memory, basic emotion, and aggression (+ emotional reactivity of memories)
Spinal Cord
Transmits signals between brain and rest of the body
Entorhinal Cortex
Memory
Olfactory Bulb
Smell
Cerebral Cortex Lobes
Frontal
Parietal
Temporal
Occipital
Cerebral Cortex
Half dozen layers of neurons with white matter beneath, which carries info between cortex and thalamus or between cortex parts
Corpus Callosum
Anterior Commisure
Central Sulcus
Lateral Sulcus
Corpus Callosum
Connects right and left hemispheres frontal, parietal, and occipital lobes
Anterior Commisure
Connects left and right hemispheres of temporal lobe
Central Sulcus
Prominent shadow groove on surface of brain divides frontal and parietal lobes
Lateral Sulcus
Defines the temporal lobe