Psych Unit 1 AOS 2 flash cards

Frontal lobe

The frontal lobe is the part of the brain located at the front, responsible for higher cognitive functions such as decision-making, problem-solving, and controlling behavior and emotions.

Temporal lobe

The temporal lobe is located near the sides of the brain and is primarily involved in processing auditory information, encoding memory, and language comprehension.

Parietal lobe

The parietal lobe is located at the top and back of the brain, playing a key role in processing sensory information such as touch, temperature, and pain, as well as spatial awareness and coordination.

Occipital lobe

The occipital lobe is located at the back of the brain and is primarily responsible for processing visual information and interpreting visual stimuli.

Wernickes area

A region in the left temporal lobe associated with language comprehension and the production of meaningful speech.

Brocas area

A region in the left frontal lobe critical for speech production and articulation.

CTE

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a progressive neurodegenerative disease caused by repetitive brain injuries, often seen in athletes.

ABI

Acquired Brain Injury, which refers to any brain injury that occurs after birth and can result from various causes, including trauma, stroke, or infection.

TBI

Traumatic Brain Injury, an umbrella term for any head injury that disrupts brain function, including concussions and more severe brain injuries.

Post mortem autopsy

a procedure performed on a deceased individual to determine the cause of death and the extent of any disease or injury.

PET scan

A positron emission tomography scan is a diagnostic imaging technique that produces a three-dimensional image of functional processes in the body using radioactive tracers. (functional scan)

CT scan (brain)

A computed tomography scan that produces a cross-sectional image of the brain, revealing structural details. (Structural Scan)

MRI

A magnetic resonance imaging technique that uses strong magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the brain's structures, helping to diagnose various conditions. (structural scan)

FMRI

Functional magnetic resonance imaging is a technique that measures and maps the brain's activity by detecting changes in blood flow, providing insight into brain function. (functional scan)

Aphasia

A language disorder that affects a person's ability to communicate, resulting from damage to areas of the brain responsible for speech and language processing.

Stroke

A medical condition that occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, causing brain cells to be deprived of oxygen and nutrients, leading to potential brain damage.

CT scan bennifits

include quick imaging, non-invasive procedure, and detailed cross-sectional views of the brain, aiding in the diagnosis of injuries or abnormalities.

CT scan limitations

include exposure to radiation, limited ability to detect subtle changes in brain tissue, and not as effective for soft tissue imaging compared to MRI.

hind brain

includes the medula, pons, and the cerebellum. this section of the brain holds vital bodily functions as well as ballance and the sleep-wake cycle

cerebellum

holds the functions for ballance, motor control, coordination and posture. the big ball part at the back of your head

medula

holds vital bodily functions such as heart rate and breathing through the lungs without having to think about it and also regulates blood pressure. this is located at the top of the brain stem

pons

responsible for the sleep wake cycle. located above the medula and next to the cerebellum

cerebral cortex

the outer layer of the cerebrum, composed of folded grey matter and playing an important role in consciousness.

cerebral-spinal fluid

the fluid around your brain

grey matter

Grey matter is a type of brain and spinal cord tissue primarily composed of neuronal cell bodies, axon terminals, and dendrites. It's responsible for processing information, controlling movement, memory, and emotions.

white matter

a type of brain tissue that primarily consists of myelinated nerve fibers (axons).

neurofibrillary tangles

abnormal aggregates of the protein tau that form inside neurons, primarily associated with Alzheimer's disease

neurofibrillary plaques

extracellular deposits of tau protein found between neurons in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease

thalamus

a crucial brain structure that acts as a relay station for sensory and motor signals, directing them to the cerebral cortex for processing.

hypothalamus

a small but crucial area in the brain that acts as a control center for the body's endocrine system and plays a vital role in maintaining homeostasis. It does this by producing hormones that regulate various functions, including body temperature, heart rate, hunger, thirst, and sleep-wake cycles

reticular formation

a complex network of interconnected brainstem neurons and nuclei that acts as a major integration and relay center for various vital brain systems

hippocampus

structure in the brain's temporal lobe, primarily responsible for memory consolidation and spatial navigation. It converts short-term memories into long-term memories and is crucial for forming new memories, particularly declarative (facts and figures) and spatial memories.