Introduction to parts of the Brain and their function Flashcards
What is the largest part of the brain?
The Cerebrum.
What is the function of the Cerebrum?
The region is responsible for higher brain functions including thought, reasoning and planning.
What is the Cerebrum often referred to as?
The Cerebral Cortex.
What is the Cerebrum made up of?
The Cerebrum is divided into two hemispheres, the left and the right and is made up of grey matter.
What is grey matter?
Grey matter is a major component of the central nervous system, consisting of neuronal cell bodies, neuropil (dendrites and unmyelinated axons), glial cells (astrocytes and oligodendrocytes), synapses, and capillaries.
What does grey matter do?
The Grey Matter serves to process information in the brain. Structures within the grey matter process signals generated in the sensory organs or other areas of the grey matter. This tissue directs sensory (motor) stimuli to nerve cells in the central nervous system where synapses induce a response to the stimuli.
What connects the two hemispheres of the Cerebrum?
The cerebrum is connected by the Corpus Callosum.
What is the Corpus Callosum and what does it do?
The Corpus Callosum is a C-shaped bundle of nerve fibres and enables the communication between the left and right hemisphere of the brain.
Where is the Corpus Callosum located?
The Corpus Callosum is located beneath the cerebral cortex. It stretches across the midline of the brain to connect the two hemispheres.
What is the function of the Frontal Lobe?
The Frontal Lobe is involved in:
- thinking
- working memory
- behaviour
- movement.
What is the function of the Parietal Lobe?
The Parietal Lobe is involved in:
- understanding language
- processing of sensory information
- enabling us to locate objects in space by integrating spatial, sensory and navigational information.
What is the function of the Occipital Lobe?
The Occipital Lobe contains the visual cortex and is involved in:
- processing visual information received by the eyes
- has regions responsible for processing colours and faces
What is the function of the Temporal Lobe?
The temporal lobe is responsible for processing sound received from the ears, as well as learning, emotions, and memory for emotions.
What important role does the hippocampus play and where is it located?
The hippocampus is located in the temporal lobe and plays an important role in the formation of long-term memories.
What are some important functions of the cerebellum?
It is involved in some cognitive functions including:
- attention
- regulating fear and pleasure responses
- balance and coordination
What are some important functions of the brain stem?
The brainstem is responsible for relaying motor and sensory information to and from different regions of the brain. It regulates:
- breathing
- cardiac function
- sleep and eating
- consciousness
- temperature
- the central nervous system
What is a gyrus?
The grooves and ridges on the outside of the cerebrum.
What is a sulcus?
Small grooves on either side of the Gyrus.
What are fissures?
Large grooves on either side of the Gyrus.
What is the function of the prefrontal cortex?
The prefrontal cortex is responsible for executive control of behaviour, planning and working memory.
What is the function of the premotor and motor cortex?
The premotor cortex and motor cortex are responsible for movement.
What is the function of the Broca’s area?
Broca’s area is involved in the production of speech, the process by which thought is translated into speech sounds.
What is the function of the auditory cortex?
The auditory cortex is involved in the processing of sound
What is the function of the visual cortex?
The visual cortex receives, integrates and processes visual information relayed from the retinas.
