1.2.2 - Cerebral Cortex

Cerebral cortex

The outer covering of the cerebrum, composed of densely packed nerve cells called grey matter.

Hindbrain

Part of the brain responsible for basic life functions, such as heartbeat and breathing.

Midbrain

A brain region that plays an important role in motor movement, particularly movements of the eye, and in auditory and visual processing.

Forebrain

The largest part of the brain that includes the cerebral cortex and is responsible for complex behaviors, emotions, and decision-making.

Grey matter

The densely packed nerve cells that form a thick spongy and wrinkled layer of the cerebral cortex.

Cerebral hemispheres

Two almost symmetrical brain structures connected by the corpus callosum, each controlling opposite sides of the body.

Motor areas

Regions of the brain associated with initiating and executing motor movements.

Sensory areas

Regions of the brain involved in receiving and processing information from the five senses.

Association areas

Brain areas that integrate information from motor and sensory areas to execute complex mental processes.

Frontal lobe

The largest lobe of the brain, involved in higher mental functions such as learning, memory, and controlling complex movements.

Prefrontal cortex

Part of the frontal lobe responsible for coordinating complex mental processes, including reasoning and decision-making.

Premotor cortex

Area of the frontal lobe that organizes sequences of voluntary movements.

Primary motor cortex

The area of the frontal lobe responsible for executing voluntary movements, signaling the cerebellum for coordination.

Somatosensory cortex

The area responsible for processing sensory information from the skin and body related to bodily sensations.

Primary auditory cortex

Part of the temporal lobe that processes auditory information from both verbal and non-verbal sounds.

Wernicke's area

Region of the brain crucial for speech comprehension, located in the left temporal lobe.

Primary visual cortex

The area of the occipital lobe that processes visual information from both eyes.