Psych parts of brain

Medulla

the hindbrain structure that is the brainstem’s base;

controls heartbeat and breathing.

Brainstem

the central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal

cord swells as it enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for

automatic survival functions.

Thalamus

the forebrain’s sensory control center, located on top of

the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in

the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla.

Reticular formation:

a nerve network that travels through the

brainstem into the thalamus; it filters information and plays a role in

controlling arousal.

Cerebellum

the hindbrain’s “little brain” at the rear of the brainstem;

its functions include processing sensory input, coordinating

movement output and balance; enabling nonverbal learning and

memory.

Amygdala:

two lima-bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system

linked to emotion.

Hypothalamus:

a limbic system neural structure lying below (hypo)

the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating,

drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system, and

is linked to emotion and reward.

Hippocampus:

a neural center in the limbic system that helps process

explicit (conscious) memories — of facts and events — for storage.

Limbic system:

neural system located mostly in the forebrain —below

cerebral hemispheres — that includes the amygdala, hypothalamus,

and hippocampus; associated with emotions and drives.

Cerebral cortex:

the intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells

covering the forebrain’s cerebral hemispheres; the body’s ultimate

control and information processing center.

Frontal lobes:

the portion of the cerebral cortex lying behind the forehead;

it is involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and

judgments.

Parietal lobes:

the portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the

head and toward the rear; it receives sensory input for touch and body

position.

Occipital lobes:

the portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the

head; it includes areas that receive information from the visual fields.

Temporal lobes:

the portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the

ears; it includes the auditory areas, each of which receives information

primarily from the opposite ear.

Motor cortex:

a cerebral cortex area at the rear of the frontal lobes

that controls voluntary movements.

Somatosensory cortex:

a cerebral cortex area at the front of the

parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement

sensations.