PA 3

PA Mods 11-12 Parts and Structures of the Brain

fMRI

A brain imaging method that uses magnetic fields to produce images of the brain structure and tracks blood flow. Tracks real-time brain activity by measuring oxygen level changes in the blood flow. active brain.

EEG

Noninvasive method that creates amplified recordings of electrical activity across the brain's surface, with electrodes placed on the scalp

Brainstem Medulla

Located just above the spinal cord; involved in control of vital functions, including blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing

Brainstem Pons

Located just above the medulla; connects the hindbrain with the midbrain and forebrain, involved in several senses on/in the head as well as muscle control in the face/facial expressions

Cerebellum

Bottom rear of brain, means ¨little brain¨, coordinates voluntary fine muscle movements and balance

Reticular Formation

Most important structure in the midbrain, controls consciousness, sleep-wake cycle, arousal, and the ability to focus our attention

Thalamus

Receives sensory signals from the spinal cord and sends them to other parts of the forebrain, then directs motor signals back out; does not include smell

Limbic System

Emotional control center of the brain; processes your memory, thoughts, and motivation, then tells your body how to respond; triggers survival drives

Hypothalamus

Helps direct the endocrine system because it controls and regulates body temperature, sexual arousal, and hunger/thirst

Hippocampus

Involved in processing and storage of memories

Amygdala

how you experience emotions and feelings

Cerebral Cortex Frontal Lobe; Motor Cortex/Strip

Sends signals to our body controlling muscle movement

Broca’s Area

An area of the left frontal lobe that directs muscle movements involved in speech

Parietal Lobe; Sensory Cortex/Strip

Receives incoming touch sensations from the rest of the body; spatial awareness

Association Area

Any area in the brain that isn't receiving sensory info or coordinating muscle movement, involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking

Occipital Lobe; Visual cortex

Visual information processing, contains visual cortex, interprets messenger from our eyes into images we can understand

Temporal Lobe; Auditory cortex

Processes sound sensed by our ears, including language

Wernicke's area

An area of the left temporal lobe involved in language comprehension