Practical II Exam Structures

the two hemispheres of the cerebral cortex, joined by the corpus callosum

cerebral hemispheres

Largest lobe of the cerebral cortex. Executive function, information processing, higher cognition. Located superior to the temporal lobe and anterior to the parietal lobe.

frontal lobe

Located posterior to the frontal lobe and anterior to the occipital lobe. Information integration, somatosensation, proprioception. Left and right halves are responsible for information coming from the respective opposite side of the body.

parietal lobe

Located at the back of the head. Decodes visual signals.

occipital lobe

Sits behind the ears/temples. Houses memories, emotion, and language comprehension. Houses the hippocampus, the primary auditory cortex, and Wernicke's area.

temporal lobe

Forms the boundary between the frontal and parietal lobes on the lateral and medial surfaces of the cerebral hemispheres. This separates the primary motor cortex from the primary somatosensory cortex.

central sulcus

Separates the temporal lobe from the frontal and parietal lobes.

lateral sulcus/sylvian fissure

A deep groove that divides the left and right hemispheres of the brain.

longitudinal fissure

A bundles of axons that connects the two temporal lobes across the midline. Interconnects the amygdalas and temporal lobes, contributing to the role of memory, emotion, speech, and hearing.

anterior commissure

Left hemisphere. Anterior part of the brain. Involved in functions of cognitive control such as decision making. Influences personality traits.

prefrontal cortex (frontal lobe)

Left hemisphere. Anterior part of the parietal lobe. Where sense of touch is processed.

somatosensory cortex/postcentral gyrus (parietal lobe)

Lower or hindmost part of the brain; continuous with spinal cord. Controls functions such as breathing, heartbeat, and blood pressure.

medulla oblongata

corpus callosum

A thick bundle of nerve fibers that connects the two hemispheres of the brain and ensures both sides of the brain can communicate.

pre central gyrus/primary motor cortex

Directs movements by controlling muscle contractions. Located in the most posterior part of the frontal lobe, anterior to the central sulcus.

prefrontal cortex

executive function. "upstairs brain". Allows us to make rational decisions.
The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex tells your limbic system what is worth fearing.
Behavior and personality traits.

cingulate cortex/gyrus

sits above the corpus callossum, a component of the limbic system that is involved in processing emotions and behavioral regulation.

hippocampal gyrus

A grey matter cortical region that surrounds the hippocampus. Part of the limbic system. Plays an important role in memory encoding and retrieval.

trisynaptic circuit of the hippocampus

The hippocampus is important for the consolidation of short-term to long-term memory. The trisynaptic circuit involves 3 major cell groups: granule cells of the dentate gyrus, pyramidal cells of CA3, and pyramidal cells of CA1.

3 synapses of the trisynaptic circuit

synapse 1: entorhinal cortex to the dentate gyrus via the perforant pathway
synapse 2: from the dentate gyrus to CA3 via mossy fibers
synapse 3: from CA3 to CA1 via Schaffer collaterals.

entorhinal cortex

the main gateway of communication between the hippocampus and the neocortex

fornix

a bundle of nerve fibers that act as a major tract of the hippocampus

subiculum

most inferior part of the hippocampus

dentate gyrus

formation of new episodic memories. Produces new neurons in adulthood.

medullary pyramids

Paired white matter structures of the medulla oblongata. Contain the corticospinal and corticobulbar tracts.

structures of the limbic system

HAThippo

hypothalamus

controls hormone release via the anterior pituitary; regulates ANS

amygdala

Fear, anxious emotions, anxiety.

thalamus

sensory relay station. Directs senses to appropriate areas in the cortex. Your sense of smell is the only sense that bypasses your thalamus.

hippocampus

next to and interconnected with the amygdala: memory.

pituitary gland

produces and secretes hormones. Relays signals from the hypothalamus to glands throughout the body.