the brain

Question 1

what is the cerebral cortex

Answer 1

thin outer layer of the brain

Question 2

3 types of cerebral cortex

Answer 2

neocortex, olfactory cortex, hippocampus

Question 3

how is the neocortex divided

Answer 3

lobes = frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital

Question 4

neocortex lobes divided by which gyri and sulci:
frontal and parietal?
frontal and temporal?

Answer 4

frontal and parietal = central sulcus
frontal and temporal = lateral sulcus

Question 5

how many layers of neocortex

Answer 5

6 - differing thicknesses by always 6

Question 6

6 layers of neocortex

Answer 6

1. molecular layer
   - nearest pia mater (outside) - no cell bodies
2. ext. granular layer
3. ext. pyramidal layer
4. int. granular layer
5. int. pyramidal layer
6. fusiform layer

Question 7

Brodmann’s cytoarchitectural map

Answer 7

shows areas of differing thicknesses of neocortex
determine function of areas with lesions e.g. stroke patients, lesions on animals e.g. primates, fMRI and EEG mapping

Question 8

3 types of area of neocortex

Answer 8

primary sensory
secondary sensory
motor
(+ other - associations)

Question 9

neocortex - primary sensory areas

Answer 9

incoming sensory info
goes through thalamus straight to these areas
examples = primary visual cortex (V1), auditory cortex

Question 10

neocortex - secondary sensory areas

Answer 10

near primary areas, for processing of the sensory info
example = secondary visual cortex (V2)

Question 11

neocortex - motor areas

Answer 11

info via the thalamus travels to the ventral horn of spinal cord where motor neurons are

Question 12

neocortex - other areas

Answer 12

association areas
seen more in mammals (especially primates)
example = prefrontal cortex for behaviours, decision making, social behaviour (less seen in other animals)

Question 13

neocortex - where is the limbic systeme

Answer 13

cortex of cingulate gyrus and medial aspect of temporal lobe and the hippocampus
kinda at the “centre” of the brain - seen on a medial view of the brain
responsible for emotions

Question 14

neocortex - insula

Answer 14

“hidden” area unique to humans for sensorimotor processing and emotional regulation
found between frontal and temporal lobe on the “inner/towards the centre” part of the neocortex

Question 15

neocortex - basal forebrain

Answer 15

made of the basal ganglia and amygdala
basal ganglia = “central” area of brain. has caudate nucleus which initiates movements, issues here = Parkinson’s - tremors
amygdala = emotions - fear responses

Question 16

3 types of white matter

Answer 16

commissural fibres
projection fibres
association areas

Question 17

white matter - commissural fibres

Answer 17

connects between hemispheres - corpus callosum

Question 18

white matter - projection fibres

Answer 18

link cortex to non-cortical areas

Question 19

white matter - association fibres

Answer 19

link areas within each hemisphere, cortex to cortex connection

Question 20

thalamus - location, function, and structure

Answer 20

location = found in diencephalon (has 2 parts - thalamus and hypothalamus - all within prosencephalon)

function = connecting neocortex to various CNS regions - relay station

structure =
has over 50 nuclei (group of neuronal cell bodies which perform the same function)
connects to neocortex via projection fibres

Question 21

hypothalamus - location, function, and structure

Answer 21

location = found in diencephalon (has 2 parts - thalamus and hypothalamus - all within prosencephalon)
divided into

function = regulator of homeostasis

structure =
divided into medial and lateral areas - lateral = motivated behaviour e.g. drink due to dehydration
divided into 11 major nuclei
periventricular region is linked to pituitary gland (ANS)