BB ch. 1 'Brain Basics'

Cerebrum

Largest part of the brain

Corpus Callosum

Largest bundle of nerve fibers; connects the two hemispheres of the brain.

Lobe

Distinct regions of the brain responsible for different functions.

Frontal Lobe

Front of the brain; controls voluntary movements, speech, memory, emotion, panning, problem solving, and personality.

Parietal Lobe

Located behind the frontal lobe; processes sensory information such as touch, temperature, and pain.

Occipital Lobe

Back of the brain; processes visual info, recognizes color and shape

Temporal Lobe

Sides of the brain; interprets auditory signals, and memory.

Cerebellum

Very back and bottom of brain; helps brain learn new motor skills, helps with some voluntary movements, and has a large role in spacial awareness. Contains over half of brains neurons.

Limbic system

A group of structures deep in the brain that regulates emotions, memory, and motivation.

Hippocampus

Area part of the LImbic system that encodes new memories; located in the temporal lobe.

Amygdala

Area of the Limbic system that integrates memory and emotion; also inside of the temporal lobe.

Thalamus

Part of the Limbic system that releases sensory info to other parts of the brain.

Hypothalamus

Sends hormonal signals to the body using the pituitary gland.

Cerebral cortex

Outside layer of the brain; folds

Forebrain

Made up of the Limbic system + Cerebral Cortex.

Midbrain

Distinct group of neurons responsible for things like blinking, eye focus, or reflex to sound. Also regulates unwanted body movement.

Basal Ganglia

Regulates complex body movement.

Hindbrain

Contains cerebellum; regulates glucose, and helps with movement control.

Pons

Area below cerebellum that influences breathing and posture.

Medulla

Connects brain to spinal cord; regulates things like swallowing, heart rate, and breathing.

Brainstem

Made up of Pons, Medulla, and midbrain.