Understanding the Human Brain

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to the functions and anatomy of the human brain, including lobes, techniques for studying the brain, and distinctions in brain structure.

Brain Stem

The part of the brain responsible for regulating vital functions such as respiration, heart rate, and digestion.

Cerebellum

A brain structure critical for coordinated movement and posture, also implicated in cognitive abilities such as language.

Cerebral Hemispheres

Regions of the brain responsible for cognitive abilities and conscious experience, containing the cerebral cortex and subcortical structures.

Frontal Lobe

The lobe of the cerebral hemispheres responsible for motor planning, language, judgment, and decision-making.

Parietal Lobe

The lobe that houses the somatosensory cortex and is involved in visual attention and multisensory integration.

Temporal Lobe

The lobe involved in auditory processing, memory, and multisensory integration.

Occipital Lobe

The lobe primarily responsible for processing visual information.

Gray Matter

Tissue primarily made up of neuronal cell bodies in the brain.

White Matter

Tissue composed of myelinated axons which connect different parts of gray matter to each other.

Neuroimaging

Techniques used to visualize the structure and function of the brain, including PET, fMRI, EEG, and DOI.

Split-brain

A condition that results from severing the corpus callosum, revealing insights into lateralization of brain function.

PET (Positron Emission Tomography)

A neuroimaging technique that measures metabolic processes by detecting gamma rays emitted indirectly by a tracer.

fMRI (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

A neuroimaging method that measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow.

EEG (Electroencephalogram)

A technique that records electrical activity of the brain through electrodes placed on the scalp.

DOI (Diffuse Optical Imaging)

A technique that uses near-infrared light to assess brain function by measuring changes in blood flow.

Spatial Resolution

The ability to distinguish fine detail in neuroimaging, indicating how close together two points can be and still be distinguished as separate.

Temporal Resolution

The precision of a measurement with respect to time in neuroimaging, reflecting how quickly changes can be detected.