Physiological Psychology: Anatomy of the Brain Flashcards
Basic Subdivisions of the Brain
- Hindbrain
- Midbrain
- Forebrain
Hindbrain
Where the spinal cord meets the brain. Its primary functions include balance, motor coordination, breathing, digestion and general arousal processes. It manages the vital functions necessary for survival.
Midbrain
Located just above the Hindbrain. Also known as Mesencephalon. It manages the sensorimotor reflexes that also promote survival.
Forebrain
Located above the Midbrain. It manages complex perceptual, cognitive and behavioral processes. It is associated with emotion and memory.
Brainstem
The primary form evolutionary developed that encompasses the hindbrain and midbrain. It is known as the most primitive region of the brain.
Limbic System
A group of neural structures primarily associated with emotion and memory.
Cerebral Cortex
The outer covering of the cerebral hemispheres. It is associated with everything else. (language processing, problem solving and long-term planning)
Phylogeny
The evolutionary development of an organism.
Parts of the Hindbrain
- Medulla Oblongata
- Cerebellum
- Reticular Formation
Cerebullum
At the top of the hindbrain, it maintains posture, balance and coordinates bodily movements.
Medulla Oblongata
The lower brain structure that is responsible for regulating vital functions such as breathing, heartbeat and blood pressure.
Reticular Formation
Connects the hindbrain to the midbrain. It regulates arousal, alertness and attention.
Parts of the Midbrain
- Superior Colliculus
2. Inferior Colliculus
Superior Colliculus
Manages visual sensory input
Inferior Colliculus
Manages auditory sensory input
Parts of the Forebrain
- Cerebral Cortex
- Basal Ganglia
- Limbic System
- Thalamus
- Hypothalamus
Thalamus
It receives input information and transmits them accordingly. (Post Office)
Divisions of the Hypothalamus
- Lateral Hypothalamus
- Ventromedial Hypothalamus
- Anterior Hypothalamus
Hypothalamus
Manages emotional experiences during high arousal states, aggressive behavior and sexual behavior. It also manages hormone levels. Feeding, Fleeing, Fighting and Sexual Functioning.
Lateral Hypothalamus
It manages food and fluids.
Aphagia
The disorder in which the Lateral Hypothalamus is destroyed and the body doesn’t know when it is supposed to eat.
Ventromedial Hypothalamus
It controls when a body is full.
Hyperphagia
The disorder where an individual excessively eats
Relationship between Cortex and Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus determines the “flight or fight” response and the cortex manages the “flight or fight” response.
Anterior Hypothalamus
It manages sexual activity
Basal Ganglia
Coordinates the muscle movements by receiving information from the cortext and sending it through the extrapyramidal motor system to the spinal cord.
Extrapyramidal Motor System
Gathers information regarding the body’s movements and makes our movements smooth.
Chronic Disease associated with Basal Ganglia.
- Parkinson’s Disease
2. Schizophrenia
Ventricles
Fluid-filled cavities in the middle of the brain that link up with the spinal canal that runs down the middle of the spinal cord.
Cerebrospinal Fluid
The fluid that fills the ventricles and the spinal cord.
Limbic System
A group of interconnected structures around the central portion of the brain. It is associated with emotion and memory.
Parts of the Limbic System
- Septal Nuclei
- Amygdala
- Hippocampus
Septal Nuclei
One of the pleasure centers and aggression management centers in the brain.
James Olds & Peter Milner
Conducted a study where rats could stimulate their septal nuclei at will.
Septal Rage
When the septal nuclei is damaged and aggressive behaviors are “unchecked.”
Amygdala
Manages defensive and aggressive behaviors
Heinrick Kluver & Paul Bucy
Conducted a study regarding the amygdala and defensive and aggressive behaviors in monkeys.
Kluver - Bucy Syndrome
Changes in animals that resulted in bilateral removal of the amygdala
Hippocampus
Manages learning and memory
Anterograde Amnesia
A disorder where an individual is not able to establish new long-term memories and memory is intact
Retrograde Amnesia
A disorder where an individual suffers from memory loss after a brain injury.
Cerebral Cortex
The outer surface of the brain.
Neocortex
“New” “Bark” aka Cerebral Cortex
Convolution
The numerous bumps and folds on the cerebral cortex
Cerebral Hemisphere
The 2 halves of the cerebral cortex
4 Lobes of the Cerebral Cortex
- Frontal Lobe
- Parietal Lobe
- Occipital Lobe
- Temporal Lobe
F- POT
Regions of the Frontal Lobe
Prefrontal Lobe
Motor Cortex
Broca’s Area
Prefrontal Cortex
Supervises cognitive and behavioral processes
Association Areas
An area which combines input from different brain regions
Projection Areas
An area that receives incoming sensory information and sends out motor-impulse commands.
Examples of Projection Areas
Visual Cortex
Motor Cortex
Prefrontal Lobotomies
A medical procedure to treat schizophrenia where a scalpel was inserted through a hole in the skull and would disconnect the frontal lobe from the limbic system and hypothalamus. (separating mood and emotion from exectutive functioning) Never used again.
Motor Cortex
Initiates motor movements by sending neural impulses down the spinal cord and towards the muscle.
Broca’s Area
A small region that is located in an individual’s “dominant” hemisphere and managing speech production.
Parietal Lobe
Supervises touch, temperature and pain.
Regions of the Parietal Lobe
Somatosensory Cortex
Central Region of Parietal Lobe
Somatosensory Cortex
A projection area that receives information regarding touch, pressure, temperature and pain.
Central Region of the Parietal Lobe
Manages spatial processing and spatial manipulation
Occipital Lobe
Supervises vision
Striate Cortex
Aka visual cortex.
David Hubel & Torsten Wiesel
Conducted research regarding the visual cortex
Temporal Lobes
Supervises hearing
Regions of the Temporal Lobe
Auditory Cortex
Wernike’s Area
Wernike’s Area
Associated with language reception and comprehension.
Contralaterally
The left side of your brain moves your right side of your body and vice versa
Ipsilaterally
The left of your brain moves the left side of your body and vice versa
Dominant versus Nondominant Hemispheres
The dominate hemisphere is responsible for detail-oriented tasks and executive functions associated with detailed activities. (usually the left hemisphere) The nondominant hemisphere is associated with intuition and creativity.
Roger Sperry & Micheal Gazzaniga
Conducted a study in regards to severing the corpus callusum
Corpus Callusum
A large collection of fibers connecting the left and right hemispheres.
