Terms Flashcards
Hemispheres
The brain has two hemispheres, the left controls the right side of the body, the right hemisphere controls the left side of the body
Corpus Callosum
Bundle of nerve fibers that connects the two hemispheres, messages move from one side of the brain to the other
Left
Specializes in language,
Right Hemisphere
Appears to specialize in more widespread processing involving perception, visualization, spatial perception, recognition of patterns, faces, emotions, melodies, and expression of emotion
Cerebral Cortex “Gray Matter”
Outer layer of the brain, the tissue is folded in on itself, the folding and wrinkling allows for more surface area of cortex to fit into the skull
Lobes
Areas of the cerebral cortex, location and primary function, each with a specialty
Frontal Lobes
Areas of the cortex located in the front of the brain, associated with reasoning, motor skills higher level cognition, and expressive language
Prefrontal Cortex
This brain region has been implicated in planning complex cognitive behavior, personality expression, decision making, and moderating social behavior
Motor Cortex
This area of the brain receives information from various lobes of the brain and utilizes this information to carry out body movements
Broca’s Area
Located in the lower portion of the left frontal lobe, controls motor functions involved with speech production and language comprehension
Parietal Lobes
Sections of the brain located at the top and back of each cerebral hemisphere containing the centers for processing sensory signals such as touch, pressure, temperature, and pain
Somatosensory Cortex
Part of your brain that receives and processes sensory information from the entire body
Occipital Lobes
Section of the brain located at the rear and bottom of each cerebral hemisphere containing the visual centers of the brain
Temporal Lobe
Areas of the cortex located just behind the temples containing the neurons responsible for the sense of hearing and meaningful speech
Wernicke’s Area
It is located in the temporal lobe on the left side of the brain and is responsible for the comprehension of speech
Brainstem
Most primitive part of the brain, Base of brain connected to the spinal cord. Controls breathing, swallowing, heart rate, blood pressure, consciousness, and whether one is sleepy or awake
Medulla Oblongata “Medula”
Located at the top of the spinal cord (transition zone), controls life sustaining functions
Pons
The larger swelling above the medulla that connects the top of the brain to the bottom, the bridge between cerebral hemispheres and both medulla and cerebellum. Role in several autonomic functions such as stimulating breathing and controlling sleep cycles
The Reticular Formation
Network of nerves that carry messages between parts of the brain stem (Integrating the nervous system)
-It helps regulate the intensity of pain and controls some parts of the body
-Helps people focus on useful sensory input while filtering out unnecessary stimuli
Cerebellum “Little Brain”
Helps control posture, balance, and the coordination of voluntary movements. This allows different muscle groups in the body to act together and produce coordinated fluid movement.
Thalamus
Processes and transmits movement and sensory information. Considered the sensory “relay station” of the brain, passing information to the cerebral cortex
-Receives information from all the senses (routes it to the higher brain regions)
Limbic System
Network of structures located beneath the cerebral cortex. Coordinates emotions such as fear and aggression, basic drives such as hunger and sex, and the formation of episodic memories
Hypothalamus
Connects with many other regions of the brain and is responsible for controlling hunger, thirst, emotions, body temp regulation, and circadian rhythm.
Also controls the pituitary glands by secreting hormones
Hippocampus
The hippocampus plays a critical role in the formation, organization, and storage of new memories as well as connecting certain sensations and emotions to these memories