Higher Cortical Function Flashcards
Where are most of the inputs to the cortex from?
Thalamus
Other cortical areas
Where are most of the outputs from the cortex from?
Pyramidal cells – project to widespread areas
What is the function of the frontal lobe?
Motor – pre central gyrus
L frontal lobe = speech
Behavioural regulation
Cognition – higher thought
Eye movements – corticonuclear projections
Continence – medial motor cortex
Outline the function of the parietal lobe
Sensory – post central gyrus
Body image – R hemisphere
Awareness of external environment – attention
Calculation and writing
Visual pathway projecting through white matter – superior visual radiations
Lesion in the R parietal lobe can lead to what?
NEGLECT
Fail to acknowledge the L side of the world exists
Describe the function of the temporal lobe
Hearing
Olfaction – uncus
Memory
Emotion
Visual pathways projecting though white matter – inferior visual radiation
What functions are dominant in the L hemisphere?
Language
Math/logic
What functions are dominant in the R hemisphere?
Body image
Visuospatial awareness
Emotion
Music
How can the Corpus callosum be modified?
Can be cut in severe epilepsy
Outline the pathway for repeating a heard word
Auditory cortex – wernickes area – arcuate fasciculus – brocas area – motor cortex
Outline the pathway for speaking a written word
Visual cortex – wernickes area – arcuate fasciculus – brocas area – motor cortex
Outline the pathway for speaking a thought
Inputs from all over the cortex – wernickes area – arcuate fasciculus – brocas area – motor cortex
Describe wernickes aphasia (dysphagia)
Can speak nonsense fluently – don’t really understand whats being asked of them
Describe brocas aphasia
Non-fluent speech - but understands what is being asked of them
What classes of memory are there?
Declarative = explicit, facts – cerebral cortex
Non-declarative = implicit, motor skills and emotions – cerebellum
