Overview of Brain Anatomy and Functions

Cerebral cortex

Outer layer of the brain, involved in complex functions.

Corpus callosum

Bundle of nerve fibers connecting brain hemispheres.

Frontal lobe

Reasoning, planning, reward, short term memory

Phineas Gage

Famous case study on personality changes after brain injury.

Neuron

Basic unit of the nervous system transmitting signals.

Synapse

Junction between two neurons for signal transmission.

Neurotransmitter

Chemical messenger transmitting signals across synapses.

Dopamine

Neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward.

Wernicke's Area

Brain region for language comprehension, located in temporal lobe.

Broca's Area

Brain region for speech production, located in frontal lobe.

Amygdala

Brain structure involved in emotion regulation and memory.

Hippocampus

where memories form

Thalamus

Relay station for sensory information to the cortex.

Hypothalamus

Regulates hunger, thirst, rage, pleasure, sex drive, body temperature

Cerebellum

Coordinates voluntary movements and balance.

Motor strip

Strip of brain tissue in the frontal lobe responsible for initiating voluntary movements

Sensory strip

Area of the cortex processing sensory information.

Reticular activating system

Network regulating wakefulness and sleep-wake transitions.

Axon

Long projection of a neuron transmitting impulses away.

Dendrites

Branch-like structures receiving signals from other neurons.

Axon terminal

End of axon where neurotransmitters are released.

Vesicle

Small sac storing neurotransmitters at axon terminals.

Marijuana

Psychoactive drug affecting neurotransmitter systems.

Opiates

Class of drugs derived from opium, pain relievers. These are depressants

Stimulants

Substances increasing alertness and energy levels.

Frontal association area

personality, putting ideas together

Prefrontal cortex

last part of the brain to develop, involved in risk assessment, managing emotions/ impulses, etc

Occipital lobe

Brain region responsible for visual processing.

Parietal lobe

Processes sensory information and spatial awareness.

Temporal lobe

Involved in auditory processing and memory.