Unit 2 Lesson 7: Functions of the Cerebral Cortex

auditory cortex

the part of the cortex in the temporal lobe that processes auditory information

Broca’s area

the area in the left brain hemisphere that produces language

cerebral cortex

the surface of the brain that supports the highest mental tasks and abilities

corpus callosum

a thick band of neural fibers that connects the two hemispheres of the brain

forebrain

the largest part of the brain, which contains the cerebral cortex, thalamus, and limbic system

frontal lobe

the portion of the cerebral cortex involved in reasoning, motor control, emotion, and language

gyrus

the bumps and ridges on the cerebral cortex

hemisphere

the left or right half of the brain

lateralization

the idea that each hemisphere of the brain supports specialized functions

longitudinal fissure

a deep groove in the brain’s cortex

midbrain

the part of the brain between the forebrain and the hindbrain

motor cortex

the part of the cortex that supports planning and coordinating movement

neuroplasticity

the nervous system’s ability to change

occipital lobe

the part of the cerebral cortex that supports visual processing

parietal lobe

the part of the cerebral cortex that supports processing sensory information

prefrontal cortex

the part of the frontal lobe that is responsible for higher

somatosensory cortex

the part of the parietal lobe that processes sensory information from the body such as touch, temperature, and pain

sulci

grooves in the cerebral cortex

temporal lobe

the part of the brain on the side of the head that supports hearing, memory, emotion, and some parts of language

Wernicke’s area

the area in the left brain hemisphere that comprehends language

left hemisphere

The _ controls the right half of the body.

right hemisphere

The _ controls the left half of the body.