Lobes of Cerebral Cortex

Prefrontal cortex

Involved in goal-directed behavior, impulse control, judgment, and awareness

Frontal lobe

Coordinates messages from the other cerebral lobes; involved in complex problem-solving tasks

Primary motor cortex

Part of the frontal lobe; sends messages to muscles and glands; key role in voluntary movement

Central fissure

Separates the primary somatosensory cortex from the primary motor cortex

Primary somatosensory cortex

Registers sensory messages from the entire body

Parietal lobe

Receives sensory information from sense receptors all over the body (in the skin, muscles, joints, organs, taste buds); also involved in spatial abilities

Temporal lobe

Involved in complex visual tasks; balance; regulates emotions; strong role in understanding language

Occipital lobe

Received and processes visual information