Biol 225 (A&P) - Regions of Diencephalon and Brain Stem, Roles of Motor, Sensory, and Association Areas of the Cerebral Cortex

Thalamus

This region of the diencephalon works as a relay station between the hemispheres of the brain and the correct locations in them as well as the. correct area of the spinal cord for transmission of a signal. It filters unimportant, trivial information

Hypothalamus

Region of the diencephalon that deals with body temperature regulation, measures osmolarity of blood to determine hydration state (thirst), controls basic hunger sensations, and controls all pituitary functions

Infundibulum

Region of the diencephalon that connects the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. Known as the pituitary stalk

Posterior pituitary gland

Region of the diencephalon that contains specialized neurons whose axon endings enter the posterior lobe of the pituitary and secrete ADH and oxytocin into the bloodstream

Pineal gland

Region of the diencephalon that produces the hormone melatonin which is sensitive to sunlight and deals with our circadian rhythms

Midbrain

The function of this region of the brainstem is to control the primitive reflex of turning towards a sound and the primitive reflex of the eyes to follow an object moving through space

Pons

Function of this region of the brainstem is to control reflex changes and respiration alteration for different levels of activity. Controls breathing

Medulla oblongata

Region of the brainstem that contains cardiac reflex center (controls heart rate), vasomotor control centers (regulates blood pressure), and respiratory center (stimulates muscles for inhalation). This keeps you alive

Reticular formation

This region of the brainstem keeps you alert and deals with wakefulness. Activity of this needs to be decreased in order to sleep

Coordination

The cerebellum communicates through its peduncles, these control what?

Primary motor cortex

This is are of the cortex located in the frontal lobe and controls all skeletal/voluntary muscles

Frontal eye field

This motor area located in the frontal lobe helps motor eye control, keeping the eyes coordinated

Broca's area

This motor area located in the frontal lobe is dedicated to the muscular coordination for speech

Frontal lobe

The association areas of this lobe are used for higher intellectual processes like concentration, planning, and problem solving

Primary somatosensory cortex

This cortex is located in the parietal lobe and involves cutaneous senses and raw input from temperature, pain, touch, and pressure

Gustatory cortex

This primary sensory cortex located in the parietal lobe is dedicated to taste

Parietal lobe

The association areas of this lobe deal with word choice, processing/understanding of words, choosing words for messages, and the expression of feelings

Primary auditory cortex

This cortex is located in the temporal lobe and takes in raw information regarding sound

Temporal lobe

The association areas of this lobe allow us to put together auditory patterns and interpret them

Primary visual cortex

This cortex is located in the occipital lobe and takes in raw image input, things like light, colors, and movement

Occipital lobe

The association areas of this lobe deal with vision and determine patterns, recognize differences, images, and objects

Wernicke's area

This area deep in the brain pulls all sensory information from association areas into understanding. Helps with things like recognizing voices, people's faces, and music for certain situations