Divisions of the brain

Question 1

Three major divisions of the brain are:

Answer 1

Hindbrain - MidBrain - Forebrain

Question 2

Forebrain is composed of

Answer 2

Neocortex, Basal ganglia, Limbic System and Diencephalon which contains Thalamus and Hypothalamus

Question 3

Midbrain is

Answer 3

a relatively small region with superior and inferior colliculus, part of visual and auditory pathways

Question 4

Hindbrain contains

Answer 4

Medulla, Pons, Cerebellum

Question 5

What is the brainstem

Answer 5

Medulla, Pons and Midbrain are grouped together in the BRAINSTEM as they all contain basic arousal mechanisms. Brainstem is continuation of the spinal cords into the brain, vital for cognitive functions, linked to concept of “brainstem death”

Question 6

Cerebellum description

Answer 6

2nd largest brain structure after cerebral cortex, involved in fine control of movements, has approx 69 billion neurons, a lot more than cortex however it’s thought to have a lot of similar neurons, making them less diverse comparing to cortex who has 16 billion neurons.

Question 7

Neocortex or Cortex description

Answer 7

Highest, newest evolved area of the brain - 6 layered structure - covers cerebral hemispheres - 82% of brain mass and 16 billion neurons approx.

Question 8

What is encephalisation quotient

Answer 8

Ratio of brain to body size - humans have the larger brain comparing to body size BUT the inside if built to the same pattern and proportions to primates - we have a largely primate brain.

Question 9

Functions of left hemisphere

Answer 9

Processes sensory and motor information for the right side of body

Question 10

Functions of right hemisphere

Answer 10

Processes sensory and motor information for the left side of body

Question 11

Major parts of limbic systems are

Answer 11

Amygdala - Hippocampus - Thalamus - Hyphothalamus - Cingulate gyrus

Question 12

Amygdala role

Answer 12

Emotions, Behaviour, Fear processing, Perceiving other’s emotions

Question 13

Hippocampus role

Answer 13

Stores long term memories, consolidate memories, spatial navigation

Question 14

Thalamus role

Answer 14

All sensory pathways apart from smell rely through Thalamus, regulates alertness

Question 15

Hypothalamus role

Answer 15

modulate endocrine system due to link to Pituitary Gland - deals with thirst, hunger, body temperature, stress and aggression

Question 16

Three types of APHASIA are

Answer 16

Broca’s motor aphasia - Wernicke’s receptive aphasia - Conduction aphasia

Question 17

Paul Broca and Broca’s area description

Answer 17

Paul Broca /broca’s area is located in left frontal lobe - If damaged : No fluent speech, but speech perception fine

Question 18

Wernicke’s area description

Answer 18

Wernicke found in 1874 an other area responsible for an other type of Aphasia, located in the TEMPORAL LOBE - now called Wernicke’s area. Damage to this area causes loss of speech perception, patient can still speak fluently however their sentences do not make sense.

Question 19

Conduction aphasia is

Answer 19

a Damage to the pathway between Broca and Wernicke’s area, if damaged, speech production and comprehension are intact however problems with shadowing.

Question 20

An other type of language disorder linked to writing is

Answer 20

Alexia without agraphia - patient can write perfectly but they can’t read