Parts of The Brain Psychology

cerebrum

location: front part of the brain
function: advanced intellectual abilities

hemispheres

two halves of the cerebral cortex, each serve distinct, but highly integrated functions

corpus callosum

large bundle of fibers connecting the two cerebral hemispheres

cerebral cortex

location: outermost part of brain
function: sensory processing and higher brain functions

frontal lobe

location: front of cerebral cortex
function: motor skills, reasoning

motor cortex

location: frontal lobe
function: body movement

prefrontal cortex

location: frontal lobe
function: decision making, personality expression

Broca's Area

location: lower portion of left frontal lobe
function: control speech production

Parietal Lobe

location: upper middle part of cerebral cortex back of each cerebral hemisphere
function: touch, temp, pain

Temporal Lobe

location: lower part of cerebral cortex behind temples
function: hearing, understanding language

Wernicke's Area

location: left side of temperal lobe
function: part of temporal lobe that comprehends speech

Occipital Lobe

location: back of cerebral cortex
function: vision

Limbic System

network of structure located beneath cerebral cortex that controls emotions, hunger, episodic memories

thalamus

location: center of brain(bigger oval)
function: transmits movement and sensory info to cerebral cortex

hypothalamus

location: center of brain(triangle)
function: responsible for maintaining constant internal state (homeostasis), hunger, emotions

amygdala

location: center of brain(oval)
function: plays key roles in fear, excitement, and arousal

hippocampus

location: center of brain(long strand)
function: formation, organization, and storage of new memories and connecting sensations to memories

brain stem

location: connects spinal cord and cerebral cortex.
function: messages from brain to body, breathing, consciousness
components: midbrain, pons, medulla

cerebellum

location: in front of brain stem
function: balance, posture, voluntary movements

pons

location: above brain stem and medulla
function: sleep cycle

medulla oblongata

location: top of brain stem
function: basic functions- heart rate and blood pressure

reticular formation

location: within the brain stem
function: carries messages between parts of brain stem. regulates pain intensity and useful/useless sensory

somatosensory cortex

location: between frontal and parietal lobe
function: receives and processes sensory info from entire body

visual association cortex

location: within occipital lobe
function: recognizes lines, angles, shapes, movement