Session 7 - Higher Cortical Function

Question 1

What are the functions of the frontal lobe?

Answer 1

Motor
Expression of speech (usually left hemisphere)
Behavioural regulation/judgement 
Cognition
Eye movements
Continence

Question 2

What are the functions of the parietal lobe?

Answer 2

Sensory
Comprehension of speech (usually left hemisphere)
Body image (usually right hemisphere)
Awareness of external environment 
Calculation and writing

Question 3

What are the functions of the temporal lobe?

Answer 3

Hearing
Olfaction
Memory
Emotion

Question 4

Which hemisphere is usually involved in sequential processing (language, mathematics, logic)?

Answer 4

Left hemisphere

Question 5

Which hemisphere is usually involved in ‘whole picture processing’ (body image, visuospatial awareness, emotion, music)?

Answer 5

Right hemisphere

Question 6

What is the corpus callosum?

Answer 6

A huge bundle of white matter connecting the two hemispheres.

Question 7

Where is Broca’s area found?

Answer 7

Inferior lateral frontal lobe

Question 8

What is the function of Broca’s area?

Answer 8

Production of speech

Question 9

Where is Wernicke’s area found?

Answer 9

Superior temporal lobe

Question 10

What is the function of Wernicke’s area?

Answer 10

Interpretation of language

Question 11

What structure connects Wernicke’s area to Broca’s area?

Answer 11

Arcuate fasciculus

Question 12

Describe the pathway for repeating a spoken word.

Answer 12

Wernicke’s area interprets sound input into words.
Signals sent from Wernicke’s area to Broca’s area via the arcuate fasciculus.
Broca’s area changes word into motor patterns, sends signals to the motor cortex.

Question 13

What is Wernicke’s aphasia?

Answer 13

Damage to Wernicke’s area resulting in fluent speech that doesn’t mean anything, makes no sense, patient doesn’t understand what is being asked of them.

Question 14

What is Broca’s aphasia?

Answer 14

Damage to Broca’s area resulting in speech that is not fluent, struggle to articulate but there is understanding.

Question 15

What is the difference between declarative and nondeclarative memory?

Answer 15

Declarative - explicit, facts

Nondeclarative - implicit, motor skills and emotions

Question 16

Where are declarative memories thought to be stored?

Answer 16

Cerebral cortex

Question 17

Where are nondeclarative memories thought to be stored?

Answer 17

Cerebellum

Question 18

What is the role of the hippocampus in declarative memory?

Answer 18

The hippocampus is crucial for consolidating declarative memories.

Question 19

How does the hippocampus consolidate memories?

Answer 19

Neuroplasticity. The hippocampus strengthens synapses, making them create more branches and release more neurotransmitter.