cerebral cortex and higher cog function Flashcards
(47 cards)
highest cortical neuron density
human cerebral cortex
most of the human cortex is composed of… how many layers does it have?
neocortex- 6 layers
What does the paleo cortex compose of?
4 or 5 layers; subiculum (tightly aorund hippocampus)
What is the archicortex?
3 layers; hippocampus
What are the 6 layers of the human neocortex?
I- Molecular layer: Input from brainstem- alertness
II- External granular layer: Intracortical association pathways
III- Small pyramidal cell layer: To opposite cortex (via corpus callosum)
IV- Internal granular layer: Input from sensory systems
V- Large pyramidal cell layer: Output to motor systems (basal ganglia, brainstem, and spinal cord)
VI- Fusiform layer: Output to thalamus
3 main functionos of the frontal lobe
- thought, personality, conscience
- planning complex voluntary movements
- execution of complex volunary movement
functions of parietal lobe
primary and secondary somatosensory processing for awareness of body position
functions of temporal lobe
memory and auditory processing
functions of limbic lobe
behavior, emotion, memory, regulation of hypothalamus, olfaction
functions of occipital lobe
visual signal processing and visual memory storage
thalamocortical system
key to higher corticl function
What do lesions to the tlaamocortical system cause?
decrease function of associated cortex
function of thalamus and location
key central relay
looks like a loaf of bread in the middle of the brain
sensory pathways of the thalamus ____ and the motor pathways ___ through the thalamus.
ascend
descend
What are the 2 key thalamic motor circuits and what do they do?
putamen circuit- premotor and supplemental motor cortex project to putamen and then back to motor cortex (for EXECUTION of voluntary movement)
caudate circuit- movements occur as a result of a sequence of thoughts, cuadate receives prefrontal cortical input (association areas) which allows cognitive control of motor activity
What would a lesions to the dorsal media do?
changes in personality, thoughts, drive, and conscience
what does the primary motor area do?
signals to voluntary muscle to control discrete muscle movement
what does the supplementary and secondary premotor area do?
complex ‘patterns’ of motor activity
what does the primary sensory area do?
detect specific sensations (visual, auditroy, somatic)
what does the secondary sensory area do?
analyze ‘meaning’ of sensory input
- shape, size, texture
- color, light, intensity, motion
- tone, pitch, frequency of sound
association areas simulataneously recevies and analyzes signals from many motor and sensory cortical areas. What does the parieto-occipitotemporal portion control?
nexus of somatic, visual, and auditory areas; maps body position and spatial awareness
association areas simulataneously recevies and analyzes signals from many motor and sensory cortical areas. What does the prefrontal control?
planning complex movements and highest order thought
association areas simulataneously recevies and analyzes signals from many motor and sensory cortical areas. What does the limbic do?
involved in behavior, emotions and motivation
What effect would a frontal lobotmy have on a person?
apathy and disjointed thoguhts; decreased spontaneity, decreased self awareness, and decreased self control
lethargy, emotional blunting, and deminished intellect
