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Psych Brain Quiz Review Sheet
Brainstem-the oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for automatic survival functions.
Medulla-the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing.
Reticular formation-a nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal.
Thalamus-the brain’s sensory switchboard, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla.
Cerebellum-the “little brain” attached to the rear of the brainstem; it helps coordinate voluntary movement and balance.
Limbic system-a doughnut shaped system of neural structures as the border of the brainstem and cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions such as fear and aggression and drives such as t hose for food and sex. Includes the hippocampus, amygdale, and hypothalamus.
Amygdala-two almond shaped neural clusters that are components of the limbic system and are linked to emotion.
Hypothalamus-a neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion.
Hippocampus-a neural center located in the limbic system that helps process explicit memories for storage.
Cerebral cortex-the intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells that covers the cerebral hemispheres; the body’s ultimate control and information processing center.
Glial cells-cells in the nervous system that are not neurons but that support, nourish, and protect neurons.
Frontal lobes-the portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments.
Parietal lobes-the portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; includes the sensory cortex.
Occipital lobes-the portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes the visual areas, each of which receives visual information from the opposite visual field.
Temporal lobes-the portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each of which receives auditory information primarily from the opposite ear.
Motor cortex-and area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements.
Sensory cortex-the area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body sensations.
Association areas-areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking.
Aphasia-impairment of language, usually caused by left hemispheres damage either to Broca’s area (impaired speaking) or to Wernicke’s area (impaired understanding).
Broca’s area-an area of the frontal lobe, usually in the left hemisphere, that directs the muscle movements involved in speech.
Wernicke’s area- a brain area involved in language comprehension and expression; usually in the left temporal lobe.
Corpus callosum- the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them.
Split brain-a condition in which the two hemispheres of the brain are isolated by cutting the connection fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum) between them.