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
How are memories stored?
Consolidation, depending upon – emotions context, rehearsal, association
What structure is crucial for consolidating declarative memories?
Hippocampus = role in strengthening synapses
What is the role of broca’s area?
production of speech
inferior lateral frontal lobe
What is the role of wernickes area?
interpretation of language
superior temporal lobe
What is the role of the arcuate fasciculus?
connection between broca’s area and wernickes area
