Sensory Cortex Flashcards
(14 cards)
What are the functions of each lobe of the brain (Frontal, Parietal, Temporal, Occipital)?
Frontal: executive function, voluntary movement, speech; Parietal: sensory processing; Temporal: hearing, memory; Occipital: vision
Where is the sensory homunculus located and what is its function?
Located in the postcentral gyrus of the parietal lobe; it represents a map of the body’s sensory input.
Which arteries enter the cranial cavity and form the Circle of Willis?
Internal carotid arteries (anteriorly) and vertebral arteries (posteriorly) form the Circle of Willis.
Why does impaired blood supply lead to brain injury?
Because neurons require constant oxygen and glucose; lack of blood causes energy failure and cell death.
What are varied symptoms of stroke and their causes?
Brisk reflexes (UMN lesion), reduced sensation (sensory pathway damage), weakness (motor cortex/pathway damage), speech deficits (language area damage)
Why might a stroke in the left middle cerebral artery cause speech issues and right-sided weakness?
Left MCA supplies language areas (e.g. Wernicke’s) and motor cortex controlling the right upper limb and face.
What separates the frontal and parietal lobes?
The central sulcus.
Which lobe contains Broca’s area?
The frontal lobe.
Which lobe processes auditory information?
The temporal lobe.
What is the Circle of Willis and its function?
An arterial ring that ensures collateral blood supply to the brain.
What symptoms might indicate an anterior cerebral artery stroke?
Contralateral lower limb weakness and behavioral changes.
How does the middle cerebral artery supply the brain?
It supplies the lateral aspects of the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes.
What is a positive Babinski sign and what does it indicate?
Upgoing big toe; indicates an upper motor neuron lesion.
Why are speech issues seen with left hemisphere strokes?
Language centers like Broca’s and Wernicke’s are typically in the left hemisphere.
