Brain Parts Flashcards
(24 cards)
Brainstem *
Responsible for automatic survival functions
Oldest, innermost part of the brain
Medulla *
Controls heartbeat and breathing
Base of the brainstem
Pons *
Aids in sleep, dream, left-right body coordination, and arousal
Larger swelling about medulla that connects top brain to bottom
Reticular Formation (RAS) Reticular Activating System *
A “netlike” nerve network; controls arousal
Thalamus *
Brain’s sensory “switchboard”
Directs messaging to sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to cerebellum and medulla
Located on top of brainstem
Cerebellum *
Helps coordinate voluntary movements and balance
The “little brain” attached to rear of brainstem.
Limbic System **
Associated with emotions like fear and aggression and drives for food and sex
Neural structure at border of brainstem and cerebral hemispheres
Hippocampus **
Assist in short and longterm memory and spatial navigation
2:1 on each side of the brain; seahorse
Amygdala **
Two lima bean sized neural clusters, linked to emotions
Amy G. Dala: she’s a bitch
Anger, fear, and aggression
Hypothalamus **
Directs eating, drinking, body temperature, and is linked to emotion and reward
Below thalamus
Pituitary Gland ***
Master gland controlling the endocrine system
The hypothalamus tells it what to do
Pineal Gland ***
Produces hormones that regulate circadian rhythms and melatonin
Cerebral Cortex
The body’s ultimate control and information processing center
Interconnected nerves cells covering the brain hemispheres
Corpus Callosum
Transmits neural messages and allows it to communicate
Connects left and right hemispheres
Frontal Lobe
Involved in making plans and judgement
Finish developing at age 23
Parietal Lobe
Integrates sensory information
Occipital Lobe
Information from visual areas
Temporal Lobe
Information from auditory areas
Motor Cortex
Controls voluntary movement
Sensory Cortex
Register and process body sensations
Auditory Cortex
Process hearing
Visual Cortex
Vision from opposite visual field
Broca’s Area
Directs muscles involved to make speech understandable
Wernicke’s Area
Language comprehension and expression
