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Sem 4 - Nervous System > Higher Cortical Function > Flashcards

Higher Cortical Function Flashcards

1
Q

What is the cortex?

A

Refers to folded grey matter on the surface of the cerebral hemispheres

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2
Q

What is the function of the cortex?

A

Integrate and process inputs

Decide on an appropriate output

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3
Q

Where do the inputs to the cortex come from?

A

From the thalamus

From other cortical areas

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4
Q

What carries the outputs from the cortex?

A

Pyramidal cells

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5
Q

What is cerebral localisation?

A

Refers to how the brain can be divided into subunits

Each subunit has specific functions, different to the other subunits

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6
Q

What are the functions of the frontal lobe?

A

Expression of language

Behavioural regulation

Cognition

Eye movements

Continence

Motor functions

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7
Q

How does the frontal lobe have motor functions?

A

Contains the pre-central gyrus which contains the primary motor cortex

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8
Q

Which frontal lobe is more responsible for the expression of language, the right or the left?

A

The left

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9
Q

How does the frontal lobe have a role in continence?

A

According to motor homunculus, medial parts of frontal lobe are responsible for motor functions of pelvic floor muscles, sphincters etc.

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10
Q

What are the functions of the parietal lobe?

A

Understanding language

Calculation and writing

Body image

Awareness of external environment

Sensory functions

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11
Q

How does the parietal lobe have sensory functions?

A

Contains the post-central gyrus which contains the primary somatosensory cortex

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12
Q

Which parietal lobe is more responsible for the understanding of language, the right or the left?

A

The left

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13
Q

Which parietal lobe is more responsible for body image and awareness of the external environment, the right or the left?

A

The right

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14
Q

What are the functions of the temporal lobe?

A

Hearing

Olfaction

Memory

Emotion

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15
Q

How is the temporal lobe responsible for hearing?

A

Contains the primary auditory cortex

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16
Q

How is the temporal lobe responsible for olfaction?

A

The uncus of the temporal lobe contains the primary olfactory cortex

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17
Q

What causes neglect?

A

Damage to right parietal lobe usually

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18
Q

What is neglect?

A

Patient doesn’t acknowledge the left half of their body or the left half of their external environment even though they can see it

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19
Q

What is cerebral dominance?

A

Refers to how certain functions are over-represented in one cerebral hemisphere compared to the other

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20
Q

What are the functions of the left cerebral hemisphere?

A

Understanding and expressing language

Logic and reasoning

21
Q

What are the functions of the right cerebral hemisphere?

A

Visuospatial awareness

Emotion

Music

22
Q

What is the corpus callosum?

A

White matter connecting the right and left cerebral hemispheres together

23
Q

Where is Broca’s area located?

A

Left infero-lateral frontal lobe

24
Q

What is the function of Broca’s area?

A

Expression of language

25
Q

Where is Wernicke’s area located?

A

Left superior temporal lobe

26
Q

What is the function of Wernicke’s area?

A

Understanding language

27
Q

Why is Broca’s area located in the infero-lateral frontal lobe?

A

Close to pre-central gyrus and primary motor cortex that stimulates muscles involved in speaking

28
Q

Why is Wernicke’s area located in the superior temporal lobe?

A

Near the primary auditory cortex which is where sound stimuli are carried to in the brain

29
Q

How do Broca’s and Wernicke’s area relate to each other?

A

Arcuate fasciculus joins the two

30
Q

What is the arcuate fasciculus?

A

White matter pathway connecting Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area

31
Q

What is the direction of impulses in the arcuate fasciculus?

A

Wernicke’s area to Broca’s area

32
Q

What is aphasia?

A

Refers to impaired understanding and expression of language

33
Q

What is Wernicke’s aphasia?

A

Patient cannot understand language, but can express language

34
Q

What causes Wernicke’s aphasia?

A

Dysfunction of Wernicke’s area

35
Q

What is Broca’s aphasia?

A

Patient can understand language but cannot express language

36
Q

What causes Broca’s aphasia?

A

Dysfunction of Broca’s area

37
Q

What are the types of memory?

A

Declarative vs non-declarative memory

Short-term vs long-term memory

38
Q

What is declarative memory?

A

Explicit e.g. facts, events

39
Q

What is non-declarative memory?

A

Implicit e.g. motor skills, emotions

40
Q

What is short-term memory?

A

Small amount of information stored for a short period of time

41
Q

What is long-term memory?

A

Information stored for up to a lifetime

42
Q

Where are memories stored in the brain?

A

Distributed throughout large areas of the brain

43
Q

Where are declarative memories stored in the brain?

A

Cerebral cortex

44
Q

What are non-declarative memories stored in the brain?

A

Cerebellum

45
Q

What is the relationship between short-term and long-term memories?

A

Short-term memories can be consolidated into long-term memories

46
Q

How can short-term memories be consolidated into long-term memories?

A

Rehearsal

Association

Emotional context

47
Q

What part of the brain is important in consolidation of declarative memories?

A

Hippocampus

48
Q

What is happening in consolidation of memories at a neuronal level?

A

Strengthening of synapses between neurones

49
Q

How can synapses between neurones be strengthened at a neuronal level?

A

Increase pre-synaptic neurones

Increase neurotransmitter release from pre-synaptic neurone

Increase receptors on post-synaptic neurones

Sem 4 - Nervous System (25 decks)

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