Higher Cortical Function Flashcards
What provides most of the inputs to the dense collection of neurones in the cortex?
Mostly Thalmic Inputs
cortex also communicates with other cortical areas
(spinothalamaic, visual etc…)
Which cell type (strucutre) provides most of the outputs from the cortex?
Pyramidal Cells
What are 3 broad functions of the frontal lobe?
Motor Output
Expression of Speech
Behavioural Regulation
Cognition (e.g. mental arythmetic)
Continence
What does the frontal lobe co-ordinate via the corticonuclear projections?
Eye Movements
Which hemisphere of the frontal lobe is usually responsible for expression of speech?
Left Hemisphere
TBC
How may a patient present with a frontal lobe lesion?
What are 3 major functions of the parietal lobes?
Sensory Perception
Comprehension of Speech
Body Image
Which visual pathway passes through the parietal lobe?
Superior Optic Radiation
Which lobe of the brain may be damaged when a patient develops neglect syndrome and outline how it may manifest?
Parietal Lobe
patient neglects half of their body / environment
- only eating half a plate of food*
- ignoring limbs on one side of the body*
- only copying half a picuture of a clock face*
TBC
How may a patient present with a parietal lobe lesion?
What are 3 broad functions of the temporal lobe?
Hearing
Olfaction
Memory
Emotion
Which visual pathway passes through the temporal lobe?
Inferior Optic Radiations
Which specific part of the temporal lobe is responsible for laying down long term memories?
Hippocampus
TBC
How may a patient present with a temproal lobe lesion?
What is cerebral dominance and how can this be useful clinically?
certain functions are over-represented in one hemisphere of the brain
left hemisphere
language / mathematics
right hemisphere
body image / emotion / visuospatial awareness
a patient with difficulty speaking may have a left hemisphere lesion
What is the corpus callosum?
a large bundle of white matter connecting the two hemispheres
What is the function of the Broca’s Area and Wernicke’s Area?
Broca’s Area
production of speech
Wernicke’s Area
interpretation of language
Which structure connects the Broca’s and Wernicke’s area?
Arcuate Fasiculus
Outline the pathway for repeating a heard word
Olfactory Nerve > Primary Auditory Cortex > Wernike’s Area > via arcuate fasiculus > Broca’s Area > Primary Motor Cortex
Outline the pathway for repeating a written word
Optic Nerve > Primary Visual Cortex > Wernike’s Area > via arcuate fasiculus > Broca’s Area > Primary Motor Cortex
Outline the pathway for speaking a ‘thought’
Multiple Cortical Inputs > Wernicke’s Area > via arcuate fasiculus > Broca’s Area > Primary Motor Cortex
How would a patient present with Wernicke’s aphasia (dysphasia is more accurate)?
able to speaks fluently as Broca’s area functioning
speech is nonsensical as the Wernicke’s area is not functioning and therefore the patient cannot understand the question
How would a patient present with Broca’s aphasia (dysphasia is more accurate)?
unable to speak fluently, speech is slow as Broca’s area not functioning
patient is able to understand the question and can write down answers
What are the two classifications of memory?
(not short and long term)
Declarative
explicit/fact
Nondeclarative
implicit/motor skills/emotions
Where are memories stored within the brain?
distributed throughout large areas of the brain
In which two distinct regions of the brain are declarative and nondeclarative memories store?
Declarative
cerebral cortex
Nondeclarative
Cerebellum
What factors can help to consolidate memories from the short term to the long term?
Emotional Context
Rehersal
Association
What type of memories is consolidated by the hippocampus and how is it believed to perform this role?
Consolidates Declarative Memories
increases amount of neurotransmitter released, increases number of receptors at post-synpaptic juncton and increases the number of pre-synaptic branches to release neurotransmitter
“neuroplasticity”
