Higher Cortical Function

Question 1

What is the cortex?

Answer 1

Refers to folded grey matter on the surface of the cerebral hemispheres

Question 2

What is the function of the cortex?

Answer 2

Integrate and process inputs

Decide on an appropriate output

Question 3

Where do the inputs to the cortex come from?

Answer 3

From the thalamus

From other cortical areas

Question 4

What carries the outputs from the cortex?

Answer 4

Pyramidal cells

Question 5

What is cerebral localisation?

Answer 5

Refers to how the brain can be divided into subunits

Each subunit has specific functions, different to the other subunits

Question 6

What are the functions of the frontal lobe?

Answer 6

Expression of language

Behavioural regulation

Cognition

Eye movements

Continence

Motor functions

Question 7

How does the frontal lobe have motor functions?

Answer 7

Contains the pre-central gyrus which contains the primary motor cortex

Question 8

Which frontal lobe is more responsible for the expression of language, the right or the left?

Answer 8

The left

Question 9

How does the frontal lobe have a role in continence?

Answer 9

According to motor homunculus, medial parts of frontal lobe are responsible for motor functions of pelvic floor muscles, sphincters etc.

Question 10

What are the functions of the parietal lobe?

Answer 10

Understanding language

Calculation and writing

Body image

Awareness of external environment

Sensory functions

Question 11

How does the parietal lobe have sensory functions?

Answer 11

Contains the post-central gyrus which contains the primary somatosensory cortex

Question 12

Which parietal lobe is more responsible for the understanding of language, the right or the left?

Answer 12

The left

Question 13

Which parietal lobe is more responsible for body image and awareness of the external environment, the right or the left?

Answer 13

The right

Question 14

What are the functions of the temporal lobe?

Answer 14

Hearing

Olfaction

Memory

Emotion

Question 15

How is the temporal lobe responsible for hearing?

Answer 15

Contains the primary auditory cortex

Question 16

How is the temporal lobe responsible for olfaction?

Answer 16

The uncus of the temporal lobe contains the primary olfactory cortex

Question 17

What causes neglect?

Answer 17

Damage to right parietal lobe usually

Question 18

What is neglect?

Answer 18

Patient doesn’t acknowledge the left half of their body or the left half of their external environment even though they can see it

Question 19

What is cerebral dominance?

Answer 19

Refers to how certain functions are over-represented in one cerebral hemisphere compared to the other

Question 20

What are the functions of the left cerebral hemisphere?

Answer 20

Understanding and expressing language

Logic and reasoning

Question 21

What are the functions of the right cerebral hemisphere?

Answer 21

Visuospatial awareness

Emotion

Music

Question 22

What is the corpus callosum?

Answer 22

White matter connecting the right and left cerebral hemispheres together

Question 23

Where is Broca’s area located?

Answer 23

Left infero-lateral frontal lobe

Question 24

What is the function of Broca’s area?

Answer 24

Expression of language

Question 25

Where is Wernicke’s area located?

Answer 25

Left superior temporal lobe

Question 26

What is the function of Wernicke’s area?

Answer 26

Understanding language

Question 27

Why is Broca’s area located in the infero-lateral frontal lobe?

Answer 27

Close to pre-central gyrus and primary motor cortex that stimulates muscles involved in speaking

Question 28

Why is Wernicke’s area located in the superior temporal lobe?

Answer 28

Near the primary auditory cortex which is where sound stimuli are carried to in the brain

Question 29

How do Broca’s and Wernicke’s area relate to each other?

Answer 29

Arcuate fasciculus joins the two

Question 30

What is the arcuate fasciculus?

Answer 30

White matter pathway connecting Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area

Question 31

What is the direction of impulses in the arcuate fasciculus?

Answer 31

Wernicke’s area to Broca’s area

Question 32

What is aphasia?

Answer 32

Refers to impaired understanding and expression of language

Question 33

What is Wernicke’s aphasia?

Answer 33

Patient cannot understand language, but can express language

Question 34

What causes Wernicke’s aphasia?

Answer 34

Dysfunction of Wernicke’s area

Question 35

What is Broca’s aphasia?

Answer 35

Patient can understand language but cannot express language

Question 36

What causes Broca’s aphasia?

Answer 36

Dysfunction of Broca’s area

Question 37

What are the types of memory?

Answer 37

Declarative vs non-declarative memory Short-term vs long-term memory

Question 38

What is declarative memory?

Answer 38

Explicit e.g. facts, events

Question 39

What is non-declarative memory?

Answer 39

Implicit e.g. motor skills, emotions

Question 40

What is short-term memory?

Answer 40

Small amount of information stored for a short period of time

Question 41

What is long-term memory?

Answer 41

Information stored for up to a lifetime

Question 42

Where are memories stored in the brain?

Answer 42

Distributed throughout large areas of the brain

Question 43

Where are declarative memories stored in the brain?

Answer 43

Cerebral cortex

Question 44

What are non-declarative memories stored in the brain?

Answer 44

Cerebellum

Question 45

What is the relationship between short-term and long-term memories?

Answer 45

Short-term memories can be consolidated into long-term memories

Question 46

How can short-term memories be consolidated into long-term memories?

Answer 46

Rehearsal Association Emotional context

Question 47

What part of the brain is important in consolidation of declarative memories?

Answer 47

Hippocampus

Question 48

What is happening in consolidation of memories at a neuronal level?

Answer 48

Strengthening of synapses between neurones

Question 49

How can synapses between neurones be strengthened at a neuronal level?

Answer 49

Increase pre-synaptic neurones Increase neurotransmitter release from pre-synaptic neurone Increase receptors on post-synaptic neurones