Brain Structures I
It is where nerve pathways cross so that one half of the brain controls the opposite half of the body
midbrain
Outermost covering of the cerebrum where most of the brain’s neurons reside
cerebral cortex
Bundle of nerve fibers which connects the two hemispheres
corpus callosum
Cortex which directs voluntary muscle movement
motor cortex
Hemisphere in which items in the left visual field will register
right hemisphere
This is the oldest, most basic part of the brain; located where spinal cord enters the brain
brain stem
Regulates hunger, thirst, fight-or-flight, body temp; Large role in emotion, pleasure, sexual function; Regulates the pituitary
hypothalamus
Main function of the Occipital lobe
vision
Cortex which receives input from the skin
somatosensory cortex
Hemisphere which houses language functioning for most people
left hemisphere
Helps control balance, muscle coordination, movement memory
cerebellum
Serves as the brain’s main sensory switchboard receiving info and directing it to the appropriate higher brain structure
thalamus
Lobe where auditory information is processed
temporal
Lobe in which the motor cortex is located
frontal
Hemisphere which more quickly and accurately identifies pictures
right hemisphere
Controls basic life-support functions: breathing, circulation, swallowing
medulla
Structure that plays a large role in processing new memories
hippocampus
Lobe which is home to advanced cognitive abilities like judgment and planning
frontal
Lobe in which the Somatosensory cortex is located
parietal
areas where we integrate sensory information with stored memories (thinking)
What are the Association Areas?