Key terms Flashcards
Frontal lobe
Each of the paired lobes of the brain lying immediately behind the forehead, including areas
concerned with behaviour, learning, personality, and voluntary movement.
Pre-frontal cortex
The grey matter of the anterior part of the frontal lobe that is highly developed in humans and plays a
role in the regulation of complex cognitive, emotional, and behavioural functioning.
Dorsolateral frontal lobe
One of the most recently evolved parts of the human brain that undergoes an extremely prolonged
period of maturation that lasts until adulthood.
Cerebral cortex
The outer layer of the brain, composed of folded grey matter and playing an important role in
consciousness
Temporal lobe
Each of the paired lobes of the brain lying beneath the temples, including areas concerned with the
understanding of speech
Amygdala
A roughly almond-shaped mass of grey matter inside each cerebral hemisphere, involved with the
experiencing of emotions.
Hypothalamus
Coordinates both the autonomic nervous system and the activity of the pituitary, controlling body
temperature, thirst, hunger, and other homeostatic systems, and involved in sleep and emotional
activity.
Hippocampus
The elongated ridges on the floor of each lateral ventricle of the brain, thought to be the centre of
emotion, memory, and the autonomic nervous system
Limbic system
A complex system of nerves and networks in the brain, involving several areas near the edge of the
cortex concerned with instinct and mood.
Pineal gland
A pea-sized conical mass of tissue behind the third ventricle of the brain, secreting a hormone-like
substance in some mammals
Melatonin
Hormone secreted by the pineal gland which inhibits melanin formation and is thought to be
concerned with regulating the reproductive cycle.
Basal Ganglia
A group of structures linked to the thalamus in the base of the brain and involved in coordination of
movement.
Dopaminergic neurons
Located in the substantia nigra are the main source of dopamine
Occipital lobe
The rearmost lobe in each cerebral hemisphere of the brain.
Parietal lobe
Either of the paired lobes of the brain at the top of the head, including areas concerned with the
reception and correlation of sensory information.
Cerebellum
Latin for “little brain” is a major structure of the hindbrain that is located near the brainstem. This part of
the brain is responsible for a number of functions including motor skills such as balance, coordination,
and posture.
Synapses
A junction between two nerve cells, consisting of a minute gap across which impulses pass by
diffusion of a neurotransmitter.
Central nervous system
The complex of nerve tissues that controls the activities of the body. In vertebrates it comprises the
brain and spinal cord.
Cerebral blood flow
The blood supply to the brain in a given period of time
Dopamine system
A monoamine neurotransmitter that is formed during the synthesis of norepinephrine and is essential
to the normal functioning of the central nervous system.
Synaptic transmission
To how the nervous system transmits information across a “synaptic gap” (the physical gap between
nerve cells) from one neuron to another.
Neuropsychology
The study of the relationship between behaviour, emotion, and cognition on the one hand, and brain function on the other
Brain imaging techniques
Non-invasive or minimally invasive techniques that enable imaging the structure or function of the
brain.
Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)
A nuclear medicine tomographic imaging technique using gamma rays.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
A type of scan that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the
inside of the body
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
A functional neuroimaging procedure using MRI technology that measures brain activity by detecting
changes associated with blood flow
Positron emission tomography (PET)
An imaging test that allows your doctor to check for diseases in your body.
