Lower Brain
Small structure in the brain located below the thalamus and directly above the pituitary gland
Hypothalamus
Curved structure located within each temporal lobe
Hippocampus
Outermost covering of the brain consisting of densely packed neurons
Cortex
Rear section of the frontal lobe; responsible for sending motor commands to the muscles of the somatic nervous system
Motor Cortex
Section of the brain located at the rear and bottom of each cerebral hemisphere containing the visual centers of the brain
Occipital Lobe
First large swelling at the top of the spinal cord, forming the lowest part of the brain
Medulla
Brain structure located near the hippocampus
Amygdala
The two sections of the cortex on the left and right sides of the brain
Cerebral Hemispheres
Processes visual information from the eyes
Primary Visual Cortex
Sections of the brain located at the top and back of each cerebral hemisphere containing the centers for touch, taste, and temperature sensation
Parietal Lobes
Part of the lower brain located behind the pons
Cerebellum
Part of the limbic system located in the center of the brain
Thalamus
Areas of the cortex along the sides of the brain, starting just behind the temples, containing the neurons responsible for the sense of hearing and meaningful speech
Temporal Lobes
Identifies and makes sense of auditory information
Auditory Association Cortex
Areas within each lobe of the cortex responsible for the coordination and interpretation of information, as well as higher mental processing
Association Areas
Larger swelling above the medulla that connects the top of the brain to the bottom
Pons
The limbic structure found in the actual cerebral cortex
Cingulate Cortex
Areas of the cortex located in the front and top of the brain; responsible for higher mental processes and decision making as well as the production of fluent speech
Frontal Lobes
Identifies and makes sense of visual information
Visual Association Cortex
Condition resulting from damage to ___ area (usually in left frontal lobe)
Broca’s Aphasia
Area of neurons running through the middle of the medulla and the pons and slightly beyond
Reticular Formation
Thick band of neurons that connects the right and left cerebral hemispheres
Corpus Callosum
The upper part of the brain consisting of the two hemispheres and the structures that connect them
Cerebrum
Area of neurons running down the front of the parietal lobes
Somatosensory Cortex
Condition resulting from damage to ___ area (usually in left temporal lobe)
Wernicke’s Aphasia