Chapter 8 Human Physiology

Medulla Oblongata

Controls autonomic functions such as blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing.

Cerebellum

Manages coordination and balance.

Pons

Connects the cerebellum and spinal cord with higher brain centers.

Superior Colliculi

Involved in visual reactions.

Inferior Colliculi

Involved in auditory reactions.

Thalamus

Processes and relays sensory information to higher brain areas.

Hypothalamus

Regulates the endocrine system through the pituitary gland.

Frontal Lobe

Responsible for motor control, intellectual functions, speech production (Broca’s area), and personality.

Parietal Lobe

Processes sensory information and language interpretation.

Temporal Lobe

Interprets auditory sensations and stores auditory/visual memories.

Occipital Lobe

Integrates visual information and supports conscious perception of vision.

Insula

Involved in memory, pain sensations, and visceral integration.

Wernicke's Area

Processes language comprehension, receiving input from auditory/visual areas.

Broca’s Area

Produces speech; communicates with motor cortex for articulation.

Broca’s Aphasia

Affects speech production; individuals have difficulty speaking but understand language.

Wernicke’s Aphasia

Impairs language comprehension; speech may be fluent but lacks meaning.

Limbic System

Governs emotions and behavior patterns, key in experiencing emotions like fear, anger, and love.

CT Scan

Uses X-ray beams to create brain images.

PET Scan

Utilizes radioactive glucose to identify brain activity.

MRI

Employs magnetic fields to produce high-resolution images without radiation.

fMRI

Measures brain activity and blood flow during tasks.

Reticular Formation

Modulates wakefulness and sleep; activates selectively to sensory input.

Ascending Tracts

Relay sensory information from the body to the brain.

Descending Tracts

Transmit motor commands from the brain to the body.