Higher Cortical Function Flashcards
What is the cortex?
Refers to folded grey matter on the surface of the cerebral hemispheres
What is the function of the cortex?
Integrate and process inputs
Decide on an appropriate output
Where do the inputs to the cortex come from?
From the thalamus
From other cortical areas
What carries the outputs from the cortex?
Pyramidal cells
What is cerebral localisation?
Refers to how the brain can be divided into subunits
Each subunit has specific functions, different to the other subunits
What are the functions of the frontal lobe?
Expression of language
Behavioural regulation
Cognition
Eye movements
Continence
Motor functions
How does the frontal lobe have motor functions?
Contains the pre-central gyrus which contains the primary motor cortex
Which frontal lobe is more responsible for the expression of language, the right or the left?
The left
How does the frontal lobe have a role in continence?
According to motor homunculus, medial parts of frontal lobe are responsible for motor functions of pelvic floor muscles, sphincters etc.
What are the functions of the parietal lobe?
Understanding language
Calculation and writing
Body image
Awareness of external environment
Sensory functions
How does the parietal lobe have sensory functions?
Contains the post-central gyrus which contains the primary somatosensory cortex
Which parietal lobe is more responsible for the understanding of language, the right or the left?
The left
Which parietal lobe is more responsible for body image and awareness of the external environment, the right or the left?
The right
What are the functions of the temporal lobe?
Hearing
Olfaction
Memory
Emotion
How is the temporal lobe responsible for hearing?
Contains the primary auditory cortex
How is the temporal lobe responsible for olfaction?
The uncus of the temporal lobe contains the primary olfactory cortex
What causes neglect?
Damage to right parietal lobe usually
What is neglect?
Patient doesn’t acknowledge the left half of their body or the left half of their external environment even though they can see it
What is cerebral dominance?
Refers to how certain functions are over-represented in one cerebral hemisphere compared to the other
What are the functions of the left cerebral hemisphere?
Understanding and expressing language
Logic and reasoning
What are the functions of the right cerebral hemisphere?
Visuospatial awareness
Emotion
Music
What is the corpus callosum?
White matter connecting the right and left cerebral hemispheres together
Where is Broca’s area located?
Left infero-lateral frontal lobe
What is the function of Broca’s area?
Expression of language
Where is Wernicke’s area located?
Left superior temporal lobe
What is the function of Wernicke’s area?
Understanding language
Why is Broca’s area located in the infero-lateral frontal lobe?
Close to pre-central gyrus and primary motor cortex that stimulates muscles involved in speaking
Why is Wernicke’s area located in the superior temporal lobe?
Near the primary auditory cortex which is where sound stimuli are carried to in the brain
How do Broca’s and Wernicke’s area relate to each other?
Arcuate fasciculus joins the two
What is the arcuate fasciculus?
White matter pathway connecting Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area
What is the direction of impulses in the arcuate fasciculus?
Wernicke’s area to Broca’s area
What is aphasia?
Refers to impaired understanding and expression of language
What is Wernicke’s aphasia?
Patient cannot understand language, but can express language
What causes Wernicke’s aphasia?
Dysfunction of Wernicke’s area
What is Broca’s aphasia?
Patient can understand language but cannot express language
What causes Broca’s aphasia?
Dysfunction of Broca’s area
What are the types of memory?
Declarative vs non-declarative memory
Short-term vs long-term memory
What is declarative memory?
Explicit e.g. facts, events
What is non-declarative memory?
Implicit e.g. motor skills, emotions
What is short-term memory?
Small amount of information stored for a short period of time
What is long-term memory?
Information stored for up to a lifetime
Where are memories stored in the brain?
Distributed throughout large areas of the brain
Where are declarative memories stored in the brain?
Cerebral cortex
What are non-declarative memories stored in the brain?
Cerebellum
What is the relationship between short-term and long-term memories?
Short-term memories can be consolidated into long-term memories
How can short-term memories be consolidated into long-term memories?
Rehearsal
Association
Emotional context
What part of the brain is important in consolidation of declarative memories?
Hippocampus
What is happening in consolidation of memories at a neuronal level?
Strengthening of synapses between neurones
How can synapses between neurones be strengthened at a neuronal level?
Increase pre-synaptic neurones
Increase neurotransmitter release from pre-synaptic neurone
Increase receptors on post-synaptic neurones
