Module 5 Flashcards
An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain’s surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp.
Electroencephalogram
Tissue distraction. A brain lesion is naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue.
Lesion
A visually display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task
PET (position emission tomography)
A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images that distinguish among different types of soft tissue; allows us to see structures within the brain.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
A technique for revealing bloodflow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. MRI scans show brain anatomy; fMRI scans show brain function.
fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging)
The oldest part of central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; this is responsible for automatic survival functions.
Brainstem
The base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing
Medulla
A nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal.
Reticular formation
The brain’s sensory switchboard, located on top of the brainstem; it direct messages to the sensory receiving areas of the cortex and transmits replies to this cerebellum and medulla.
Thalamus
The “little brain” attached to the rear of the brainstem; its functions include processing sensory input and coordinating movement output and balance.
Cerebellum
A donutnut-shaped system of neutral structures at the border of the brainstem and cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions such as fear and aggression and drive such as those for food and sex. Includes the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus.
Limbic system
Two lima beans-sized neural clusters that are components of the limb if system and are linked to emotion
Amygdala
A neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland and is linked to emotion.
Hypothalamus
The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells that covers the cerebral hemispheres; the body’s ultimate control and information processing center.
Cerebral cortex
Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons.
Glial cells
The portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; in involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments.
Frontal lobes
The portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position.
Parietal lobes
The portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes the visual areas, which received visual information from the opposite visual field.
Occipital lobes
The portion of the cerebral cortex line roughly around the ears; includes the auditory areas, each of which receives auditory information primarily from the opposite ear.
Temporal lobes
An area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements.
Motor cortex
The area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations.
Sensory cortex
Areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking.
Association areas
Impairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage either to Broca’s area (impairing speaking) or to Weirnicke’s area (impairing understanding).
Aphasia
Controls language expression - an area of the frontal lobe, usually in the left hemisphere, that direct the muscle movements involved in speech.
Broca’s area
Controls language reception - a brain area involved in language comprehension and expression usually in the left temporal lobe.
Weirnicke’s area
The brains capacity for modification, as evident in brain reorganization following damage (especially in children) and in experiments on the effects of experience on brain development.
Plasticity
The large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and caring messages between them.
Corpus callosum
A condition in which the two hemispheres of the brain are isolated by cutting the connecting fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum) between them.
Split brain
