Chapter2(Unit 3)- Brain Flashcards
The Hindbrain
Consists of the medulla, pons, reticular formation, and cerebellum
Medulla
The first large swelling at the top of the spinal cord, forming the lowest part of the brain, which is responsible for life-sustaining fictions such as breathing, swallowing, and heart rate
Pons
The large swelling above the medulla that connects the top of the brain to the bottom and that plays a deep part in sleep, dreaming, left-right body coordination, and arousal
Reticular Formation
An area of neurons running through the middle of the medulla and the kind and slightly beyond that is responsible for general attention, alertness, and arousal
Cerebellum
Part of lower brain located behind the pons that controls and coordinates involuntary, rapid, fine motor movement, and may have some cognitive functions
Limbic system
A group of several brain structures located primary under the cortex and involved in learning, emotion, memory, and motivation
Thalamus
Part of the limbus system located in the center of the brain, this structure relays sensory information from the lower part of the brain to the proper areas of the cortex and processes some sensory information before sending it to its proper area
Amygdala
Brain structure located near the hippocampus, responsible for fear responses and memory of fear
Hypothalamus
Small structure in the brain located below the thalamus and directly about the pituitary gland, responsible for motivational behavior such as sleep, hunger, thirst, and sex
Cortex
Outermost covering of the brain consisting of densely packed neurons, responsible for higher thought processes and interpretation of sensory input
Corpus callosum
Thick band of neurons that connects the right and left cerebral hemispheres
Occipital lobes
Section of the brain located at the rear and bottom of each cerebral hemisphere containing the primary visual centered of the brain
Parietal lobes
Sections of the brain located at the top and back of each cerebral hemisphere containing the centers for touch, temperature, and body position
Temporal lobes
Areas of the cortex located along the side of the brain, starting just behind the temples, containing the neurons responsible for the sense of hearing and meaningful speech
Frontal lobes
Areas of the brain located in the front and top, responsible for higher mental processes and decision making as well as the production of fluent speech
Somatosensory cortex
Area of cortex at the front of the parietal lobes responsible for processing information. From the skin and internal body receptors for touch, temperature, and body position
Motor cortex
Rear section of the frontal lobe, responsible for sending motor commands to the muscles of the somatic nervous system
Broca’s aphasia
Condition resulting from damage to Broca’s area, causing the affected person to be unable to speak fluently, to mispronounce words, and to speak haltingly
Wernicke’s aphasia
Condition resulting from damage to Wernicke’s area, causing the affected person to be unable to understand or produce meaningful language
Computed tomography (CT)
Brain-imaging method using computer controlled X-rays of the brain
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Brain-imaging method using radio waves and magnetic fields of the body to produce detailed images of the brain
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
A recording of the electrical activity of large groups of cortical neurons just below the skull, most often using scalp electrodes
Positron Emission Tomography(PET)
Brain-imaging method in which a radioactive sugar is injected into the subject and a computer compiles a color-coded image of the activity in the brain
Functional MRI (fMRI)
MRI-based brain-imaging method that allows for functional examination of brain areas through changes in brain oxygenation
