The Brain Flashcards
Medulla
An area of the hindbrain involved in regulation of heartbeat, respiration, and blood pressure.
Pons
A structure in the hindbrain involved in body movements, attention, sleep, and respiration.
Cerebellum
A structure in the hindbrain involved in motor behavior, coordination, and balance
Reticular activating system
Brain structure involved in processes of attention, sleep, and arousal.
Thalamus
A structure in the forebrain involved in relaying sensory information to the cortex and in processes related to sleep and attention.
Limbic system
A group of forebrain structures involved in emotional processing, memory, and basic drives such as hunger, thirst, and aggression.
Basal ganglia
An assemblage of neurons at the base of the forebrain involved in regulating postural movements and coordination.
Cerebrum
The large mass of the forebrain, consisting of the two cerebral hemispheres, responsible for higher mental
functions.
Cerebral cortex
The wrinkled surface area of the cerebrum responsible for processing sensory stimuli and controlling higher mental functions, such as thinking and use of language.
Occipital lobe
Primarily involved in processing visual stimuli.
Temporal lobe
Involved in processing sounds or auditory stimuli.
Parietal lobe
Involved in processing sensations of touch, temperature, and pain.
Frontal lobe
Controls muscle movement and includes the prefrontal cortex that regulates higher mental functions such as thinking, problem-solving, and use of language.
