L3 T1 cerebral cortex organization and function Flashcards
What are three types of cortical neurons?
Granular (stellate), fusiform, and pyramidal.
What is true of granular (stellate) cortical neurons?
They have short axons, they tend to function as interneurons, and are both excitatory (glutamate) and inhibitory (GABA).
What is true of fusiform cortical neurons?
They are smaller output neurons
What is true of pyramidal cortical neurons?
They are larger output neurons
What is significant about layer IV (4) of the cerebral cortex?
Termination of most incoming specific sensory signals.
What is significant about layers V (5) and VI (6) of the cerebral cortex?
Origin of most output signals.
Fibers to thalamus from VI (6).
What is significant about layers I, II, and III of the cerebral cortex?
intracortical association functions.
What occurs if thalamic connections are cut?
The functions of the corresponding cortical areas become almost lost entirely.
What is the function of the primary motor area?
direct connections with specific muscles.
What is the function of the primary sensory area?
detect specific sensation
What is the function of the secondary motor area?
provide patterns of motor activity
What is the function of the secondary sensory area?
analyze meanings of specific sensory signals
What are the functions of the association areas in the brain?
Receive and analyze signals simultaneously from multiple motor and sensory cortices
What are the association areas in the brain?
Parieto-occipitotemporal aa, prefrontal aa, limbic aa, Broca’s area, and Wenicke’s area.
What is the subareas/function of the parieto-occipitotemporal aa?
area for analysis of spatial coordinates, Wernicke’s area, angular gyrus area, area for naming objects
What is the function of the prefrontal aa?
- receives preanalyzed sensory info (esp for spatial coordinates) necessary for planning effective movements
- output passes through caudate portion of basal ganglia
- carries out “thought” processes in the mind
What is the function of the limbic aa?
concerned with behavior, emotions, and motivation
What is the function of Broca’s area?
- provides circuitry for word formation
- works closely with Wernicke’s area
- almost always dominant on left side of brain
What is the function of Wernicke’s area
Language comprehension
What association area plays the single greatest role of any part of the cerebral cortex for intelligence?
Wernicke’s area
Activation of what association area may be able to call forth complicated memory patterns involving more than one sensory modality?
Activated Wernicke’s area
