Parts of the Brain Flashcards
Medulla Oblongata
regulates vital functions (breathing, heart rate, blood pressure)
Pons
relays information between the cortex and the medulla, regulates sleep, carries motor/sensory information from the face and neck
Cerebellum
maintains posture and balance and coordinates body movement
Hindbrain
responsible for controlling balance, muscle coordination, breathing, digestion, and sleep/walking
Superior colliculus
receives visual sensory input
Inferior colliculus
receives auditory sensory input
Thalamus
receives incoming sensory information and transmits to appropriate areas of the cerebral cortex
Hypothalamus
homeostatic functions (4 Fs: feeding, fight, flight, fucking)
Lateral Hypothalamus
triggers eating and drinking
Ventromedial Hypothalamus
provides signals to stop eating
Anterior Hypothalamus
controls sexual behavior, regulates sleep, and body temperature
Posterior Pituitary Gland
produces ADH and oxytocin
Pineal Gland
secretes melatonin
Basal Ganglia
coordinates muscle movements, as it receives information from the cortex and relays information to brain and spinal cord
Limbic System
Septal Nuclei, Amygdala, and Hippocampus
Septal Nuclei
primary pleasure center of the brain
Amygdala
important for defensive, aggressive behavior including fear and rage
Hippocampus
consolidate information to form long term memory and redistribute remote memories to the cerebral cortex
Retrograde Amnesia
memory loss of old memories
Anterograde Amnesia
inability to form new memories
Parts of the Frontal Lobe
prefrontal cortex, primary motor cortex, broca’s area
Prefrontal Cortex
supervises processes associated with perception, memory, emotion, impulse control, and long-term planning [Association Area]
Primary Motor Cortex
initiates voluntary motor movements by sending neural impulses down the spinal cord toward the muscles
Broca’s Area
important for speech production
