The Brain Flashcards
lesion
tissue destruction
electroencephalogram (eeg)
amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity in the brain; mesured by electrodes placed on the scalp
computed tomography (ct) scan
x-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slide through the body
positron emission tomography (pet) scan
visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucos goes while the brain performs a given task
magnetic resonance imaging (mri)
uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue; show brain anatomy
functional mri (fmri)
revealing bloodflow and brain activity by comparing successive mri scans
brainstem
oldest part of the central core of the brain; responsible for automatic survival functions
medulla
base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing
reticular formation
nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal
thalamus
brain’s sensory switchboard, located on top of the brainstep; directs messages to the sensory receiving areas on the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla
cerebellum
processes sensory input and coordinating movement output and balance
limbic system
neural system located below the hemispheres, associated with emotions and drives
amygdala
lime bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion
hypothalamus
directs maintenance activities, governs endocrine system; linked to emotion and reward
cerebral cortex
the intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body’s ultimate control and information-processing center
glial cells
cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons
frontal lobes
just behind the forehead, involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgements