Brain Regions and Their Roles

Vocabulary flashcards covering the major brain regions and their roles, illustrated with the Ikea furniture assembly context.

Cerebellum

Coordinates voluntary movements for smooth, precise motion and stores motor memories (how to perform actions).

Thalamus

Relays sensory signals (except smell) to the appropriate cortical areas for processing.

Hypothalamus

Maintains bodily balance by signaling needs (hunger, thirst, temperature) and triggering corresponding responses (drink, rest, cooling).

Amygdala

Processes emotions and threat detection, triggering fear or stress responses when danger is perceived.

Hippocampus

Processes and organizes declarative memories (facts, events) and spatial memory, aiding recall of steps and locations.

Corpus callosum

Neural fiber bridge between the two hemispheres, enabling interhemispheric communication and contralateral control.

Motor cortex

Controls voluntary motor movements; mapped to body parts with more area for finer movements; located in the frontal lobe.

Somatosensory cortex

Processes touch, pain, temperature, and other senses; located in the parietal lobe.

Visual cortex

Processes visual information; located in the occipital lobe and analyzes shapes, colors, and motion.

Auditory cortex

Processes sound information (pitch, volume, rhythm); located in the temporal lobe.