Brain Structure and Functions

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the structures, lobes, areas, and hemispheric functions of the brain based on the lecture notes.

Brain stem

Part of the brain responsible for breathing, swallowing, etc.

Medulla

Controls heart rate + breathing.

Pons

Involved in sleep + arousal, coordinates movement, and helps facial expression ("pons = pillow").

Reticular formation

Responsible for alertness, arousal, and is important for consciousness.

Cerebellum

Controls balance, coordination, and procedural memory.

Thalamus

Sensory relay station that receives sensory info and sends it to the correct cortex.

Amygdala

Controls emotions, fear, and aggression.

Hippocampus

Controls memories.

Hypothalamus

Maintains homeostasis and is linked to the pituitary.

Pituitary gland

The "master gland" that controls other endocrine glands and releases hormones.

Cerebral cortex

Outer wrinkled layer of the brain responsible for thinking, perception, language, decision making, and consciousness.

Basal ganglia

Controls eye movement.

Frontal lobe

Responsible for planning, judgment, and problem solving.

Motor cortex

Controls voluntary movement.

Parietal lobe

Responsible for touch / sensation.

Occipital lobe

Responsible for vision.

Temporal lobe

Responsible for hearing.

Somatosensory cortex

Responsible for body sensations.

Auditory cortex

Responsible for sound.

Broca's area

Responsible for speech production.

Wernicke's area

Responsible for language comprehension.

Corpus callosum

Connects the hemispheres.

Left side of the brain

Associated with logic, math, and language.

Right side of the brain

Associated with creativity, spatial skills, and facial recognition.