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brain functions
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Cerebellum | Coordinates voluntary muscle movements; maintains posture and balance |
Brainstem | Relay center connecting cerebellum and cerebrum to the spinal cord; important for autonomic functions; includes: medulla oblongata, Pons, Midbrain, and Reticular Formation |
Medulla oblongata | Controls respiration- rate, rhythm, depth; controls heart rate; controls blood pressure; Reflexes of vomiting, coughing, sneezing, hiccupping, swallowing. |
pons | Relaying Sensory Information Between the Cerebrum and Cerebellum Involved in vision- highly active during dreams |
Midbrain | Relay station for auditory and visual information controls many important functions such as the visual and auditory systems as well as eye movement. Region affected by Parkinson's Disease |
Diencephalon | Portion of the brain consisting of the hypothalamus, thalamus, and epithalamus |
Hypothalamus | Master control of autonomic system; maintains homeostasis- hunger, thirst, sleep, wakefullness, body temperature, blood pressure, secretion of hormones from pituitary gland |
Thalamus | Central relay for all senses but smell; key role in pain, touch, and temperature sensation, as well as attention and alertness Also produces a general awareness of sensations such as touch, temperature and pressure |
Pineal Gland | Controls onset of puberty; long term cycles influenced by light and dark cycles- fur color and density in mammals; migration, feather color, and gonad development in birds. |
Cerebrum | Largest part of human brain; composed of the frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, and Insula lobes. |
Frontal Lobe | Center for personality, behavior, emotions, judgement, problem solving, intelligence, self awareness |
Broca's Area | Located in the frontal lobe- functions in speech- speaking and writing |
Motor Cortex | Located in the frontal lobe- functions in initiating body movements |
Parietal Lobe | Associated with movement, orientation, recognition, perception of stimuli Interprets language, words; interprets signals from vision, hearing, motor, sensory, and memory centers |
Somatosensory Cortex | Located in parietal lobe- functions in sense of touch, pain, and temperature |
Association Cortex (Cortices) | Largest area proportionally in humans to all other animals; cognition |
Occipital Lobe | Interprets vision- color, light, movement |
Temporal Lobe | Center for memory, hearing, sequencing, and organization |
Wernicke's Area | Located in the temporal lobe- functions in understanding language |
Reticular Formation | Activates the cortex into a state of arousal Injury results in a comatose state General anesthetic drugs target this part of the brain |