Cerebral Hemisphere and Cortex

Question 1

Name the 3 phylogenetic categories of the cerebral cortex

Answer 1

archicortex (hippocampus)
paleocortex (piriform lobe)
neocortex (six layers)

Question 2

Name the 3 categories of white matter fibers

Answer 2

projection fibers
commissural fibers
association fibers

Question 3

Projection fibers

Answer 3

• join the internal capsule

- two categories: corticofugal and corticopedal

Question 4

Commissural fibers

Answer 4

• connect the cortices of right and left hemispheres

- largest bundle is corpus callosum

Question 5

Association fibers

Answer 5

• connect regions of the cerebral cortex within one hemisphere
• two categories: short association fibers and long association fibers

Question 6

Rhinencephalon

Answer 6

ventromedial portion of each cerebral hemisphere, associated with olfaction

Question 7

Functions of neocortex

Answer 7

detailed sensory perception
higher cognitive interpretation
rapid fine movements
learning
goal oriented intelligence

Question 8

What are the 2 neurons that predominate in the neocortex?

Answer 8

pyramidal cells (output cells)
granule cells (interneurons)

Question 9

Name the 6 horizontal layers of the cerebral cortex

Answer 9

1. molecular layer
2. outer granule cell layer (interneurons)
3. outer pyramidal cell layer (output cells)
4. inner granule cell layer (interneurons)
5. inner pyramidal cell layer (output cells)
6. multiform layer (project to thalamus)

Question 10

Explain the vertical organization of the cerebral cortex

Answer 10

• organized into functional units consisting of cortical columns
• all cells within an individual column are activated by the same particular feature of a stimulus
• this is a result of neuronal connections within a cortical column

Question 11

Name the 3 main functional areas of the cerebral cortex

Answer 11

motor area
primary sensory areas
association areas

Question 12

Motor area drives what two areas?

Answer 12

main driver of the red nucleus and reticular formation

Question 13

Name the 4 primary sensory areas

Answer 13

somatosensory
visual area
auditory area
vestibular area

Question 14

Somatosensory area receives what kind of input?

Answer 14

tactile input and information related to pain, temperature, and pressure sensation

Question 15

Visual area receives what kind of input?

Answer 15

elements of an image (contrast-edges, shape, color, size)

Question 16

Auditory area receives what kind of input?

Answer 16

auditory input (temporal and pitch changes)

Question 17

Vestibular area receives what kind of input?

Answer 17

vestibular (acceleration) input

Question 18

What is the association area concerned with?

Answer 18

sensory integration, cognitive interpretation, abstracting complex significance, thinking, goal planning, creativity, and intelligent behavior

Question 19

Function of association areas

Answer 19

extract cognitive significance

Question 20

Function of prefrontal association cortex

Answer 20

directs goal-oriented behavior