The Brain Flashcards
Surgical removal of brain tissue.
Ablation
Subcortical structures of the cerebral hemispheres involved in voluntary movement.
Basal ganglia
The “trunk” of the brain comprised of the medulla, pons, midbrain, and diencephalon.
Brain stem
Surgical procedure in which the corpus callosum is severed (used to control severe epilepsy).
Callosotomy
The outermost gray matter of the cerebrum; the distinctive convolutions characteristic of the
mammalian brain.
Cerebral cortex
Surgical procedure in which the corpus callosum is severed (used to control severe epilepsy).
Cerebellum
The cerebral cortex, underlying white matter, and subcortical structures
Cerebral hemispheres
Usually refers to the cerebral cortex and associated white matter, but in some texts includes
the subcortical structures.
Cerebrum
Literally “opposite side”; used to refer to the fact that the two hemispheres of the brain process
sensory information and motor commands for the opposite side of the body (e.g., the left
hemisphere controls the right side of the body).
Contralateral
Similar findings reported from multiple studies using different methods.
Converging evidence
A slice that runs from head to foot; brain slices in this plane are similar to slices of a loaf of
bread, with the eyes being the front of the loaf.
Coronal plane
A neuroimaging technique that infers brain activity by measuring changes in light as it is
passed through the skull and surface of the brain.
Diffuse optical imaging
A neuroimaging technique that measures electrical brain activity via multiple electrodes on
the scalp.
Electroencephalography
The front most (anterior) part of the cerebrum; anterior to the central sulcus and responsible
for motor output and planning, language, judgment, and decision-making
Frontal lobe
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI): A neuroimaging technique that infers brain
activity by measuring changes in oxygen levels in the blood.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging
The outer grayish regions of the brain comprised of the neurons’ cell bodies.
Gray matter
A fold between sulci in the cortex.
Gyrus/ Gyri(plural)
A slice that runs horizontally through a standing person (i.e., parallel to the floor); slices of
brain in this plane divide the top and bottom parts of the brain; this plane is similar to slicing
a hamburger bun.
Horizontal plane
To the side; used to refer to the fact that specific functions may reside primarily in one hemisphere or the other (e.g., for the majority individuals, the left hemisphere is most
responsible for language).
Lateralized
A region in the brain that suffered damage through injury, disease, or medical intervention.
Lesion
Includes the subcortical structures of the amygdala and hippocampal formation as well as
some cortical structures; responsible for aversion and gratification.
Limbic system
A substance necessary for a living organism to maintain life
Metabolite
Region of the frontal lobe responsible for voluntary movement; the motor cortex has a
contralateral representation of the human body
Motor cortex
Fatty tissue, produced by glial cells (see module, “Neurons”) that insulates the axons of the
neurons; myelin is necessary for normal conduction of electrical impulses among neurons.
Myelin
