the brain

Question 1

what are the 3 types of cerebral cortex?

Answer 1

• neocortex
• olfactory cortex (processes information about smell)
• hippocampus

Question 2

features of the hippocampus

Answer 2

• found in each temporal lobe
• memory
• only 3 layers

Question 3

features of the neocortex

Answer 3

• frontal and parietal lobe separated by central sulcus
• temporal lobe separated by massive sulcus
• occipital lobe at the back

Question 4

what is the cytoarchitectural structure of the neocortex?

Answer 4

• 6 layers
• each layer defined by different cell types present
• exact structure of layers differs between regions of neocortex

Question 5

how does the cytoarchitectural map relate to Brodmann’s map?

Answer 5

if an area had a similarly layered structure it would be classified as one area

Question 6

How was the neocortex mapped?

Answer 6

• brodmann’s cytoarchitectural map (to locate the separate areas)
• using lesions or direct stimulation (to determine function of each area)

Question 7

functional imaging used to map the cortex

Answer 7

• positron emission tomography (PET)
• functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
• electroencephalography (EEG)

Question 8

what are the main areas of the neocortex? (lateral view)

Answer 8

• primary sensory areas (incoming sensory information e.g. visual cortex, auditory cortex)
• secondary sensory areas (located close to primary sensory areas)
• motor areas
• rest of cortex = association areas

Question 9

what are the main areas of the neocortex? (medial view)

Answer 9

the limbic lobe (emotional regulation)
- cingulate gyrus
- medial aspect of temporal lobe
- hippocampus

Question 10

what are the hidden areas of the neocortex?

Answer 10

insula cortex - functions range from sensorimotor processing to emotional regulation

Question 11

what is in the basal forebrain?

Answer 11

• basal ganglia (initiate movement, affected in Parkinson’s)
• amygdala (emotion and motivation)

Question 12

white matter in the cerebral cortex

Answer 12

• commissural fibres - connect between hemispheres
• projection fibres - link to non-cortical areas
• association fibres - link areas within a hemisphere

Question 13

features of the thalamus

Answer 13

• from the diencephalon
• over 50 nuclei
• mainly a relay station
• connects to neocortex via projection fibres

Question 14

features of the hypothalamus

Answer 14

• from the diencephalon
• 11 major nuclei
• master regulator of homeostasis