Understanding Brain Structure and Function

Hemispatial neglect

Awareness loss of one side of space.

Cerebral cortex

Brain region involved in perception and memory.

Parietal lobe

Brain area linked to sensory processing.

Temporal lobe

Brain region associated with auditory processing.

Neuroplasticity

Brain's ability to adapt and reorganize.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Brain and spinal cord; main control center.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Nerves connecting CNS to body; includes somatic and autonomic.

Somatic PNS

Controls voluntary muscle movements and sensory information.

Autonomic PNS

Regulates involuntary bodily functions like heartbeat.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Prepares body for 'fight or flight' response.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Promotes rest and relaxation in the body.

Motor neurons

Nerve cells that transmit signals to muscles.

Sensory fibers

Transmit sensory information to the CNS.

Motor fibers

Carry commands from CNS to muscles.

Meninges

Protective tissue layers surrounding the CNS.

Adrenal glands

Endocrine glands involved in stress response.

Cortisol

Hormone released during stress; affects various systems.

Hypothalamus

Brain region controlling hormonal responses.

Pituitary gland

Releases hormones directed by the hypothalamus.

Endocrine system

Hormonal system affecting long-term bodily functions.

Stress response

Physiological changes triggered by perceived threats.

Neurons

Basic units of the nervous system; transmit signals.

Endocrine system

Regulates bodily functions through hormones.

Frontal lobe

Responsible for complex thought and movement control.

Parietal lobe

Processes touch and spatial awareness.

Occipital lobe

Processes visual information from light.

Insular lobe

Involved in taste and internal organ awareness.

Temporal lobe

Essential for auditory processing and memory.

Somatosensory cortex

Maps body's skin surface sensations.

Motor cortex

Controls voluntary muscle movements.

Proprioception

Sense of body position and movement.

Aphasia

Impaired communication due to brain damage.

Wernicke's area

Involved in understanding spoken language.

Broca's area

Controls speech fluency and motor pathways.

Prefrontal cortex

Involved in executive functions like planning.

Hippocampus

Critical for long-term memory storage.

Amygdala

Processes emotions and emotional memories.

Hemispatial neglect

Inability to attend to one side of space.

Subcortical regions

Support memory, emotions, and motivation.

Interoception

Awareness of internal bodily states.

Complex thought

Involves evaluation and decision-making processes.

Auditory cortex

Processes sound and its meanings.

Cortex

Outer layer of the brain, involved in higher functions.

Stroke

Disruption of blood flow to the brain.

Limbic system

Subcortical structures involved in emotion and memory.

Hippocampus

Key for forming episodic memories and spatial navigation.

Place cells

Neurons that fire for specific locations in space.

Amygdala

Processes emotional significance of experiences.

Basal ganglia

Involved in action initiation and habit formation.

Nucleus accumbens

Region associated with motivation and reward.

Caudate

Part of basal ganglia for action control.

Putamen

Part of basal ganglia for action control.

Thalamus

Relay station for sensory and motor signals.

Hypothalamus

Regulates endocrine functions and homeostasis.

Midbrain

Contains neurotransmitter-producing centers like dopamine.

Dopamine

Neurotransmitter linked to motivation and reward learning.

Ventral tegmental area

Major dopamine center in the midbrain.

Substantia nigra

Dopamine-producing area affecting movement coordination.

Hindbrain

Controls basic life functions like breathing.

Pons

Connects different parts of the brain.

Medulla oblongata

Regulates autonomic functions like heartbeat.

Cerebellum

Coordinates fine motor skills and balance.

Neuron structure

Dendrites, cell body, axon, and terminals.

Dendrites

Receive input from other neurons.

Axon

Transmits electrical signals to other neurons.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers released at synapses.

Agonist

Substance that activates a receptor.

Antagonist

Substance that blocks receptor activation.

Endogenous opioids

Natural pain-relieving chemicals in the body.

Naloxone

Antagonist used to reverse opioid overdoses.