Neuroanatomy

Cerebellum…

• coordinates voluntary movements, balance, and posture

Brainstem…

• connects cerebral hemispheres with spinal cord, controlling basic involuntary functions like breathing and heartbeat.

Medulla…

• lowest part of brainstem that contains vital autonomic functions like breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.

Reticular formation (activating system)…

• network neurons that regulates arousal, attention, and sleep-wake transition.

Pons…

• connects cerebrum with cerebellum and is involved in sleep regulation, respiration, and facial sensation.

Limbic system…

• regulates emotions, behaviors, motivation, and long-term memory

Thalamus…

• relays sensory information to cerebral cortex and regulates consciousness, sleep, and alertness.

Hippocampus…

• forms new memories and spatial navigation

Anteerograde amnesia…

• inability to form new memories

Amygdala…

• processes emotions, especially fear and agression

Hypothalamus…

• regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, and other homeostatic functions as well as linking the nervous system to endocrine system

Left Hemisphere…

• language, logic, analytical thinking, and right side control.

Right Hemisphere…

• creativity, spatial awareness, visual imagery, music, intuition, and processing non-verbal cues and left side body.

Corpus callosum…

• bundle of nerve fibers connecting sides, allowing for communication.

Broca’s area…

• left frontal lobe; speech production

Wernicke’s Area…

• left temporal lobe; language comprehension.

Contralaterl processing…

• brain receives input from opposite side of body