Brain Areas Psychology

Mr. Smith

Frontal Lobe

Located at the front responsible for decision making, problem-solving, motor control, emotional regulation, and language (Broca’s area)

Parietal Lobe

Located at the top and back of the brain and is responsible for processing sensory information like touch and temperature, as well as spatial awareness and coordination.

Occipital Lobe

Located in the back part of the brain responsible for processing visual information.

Temporal Lobe

Located on the sides of the brain and is primarily responsible for processing auditory information, language, and memory.

Cerebellum

Located at the back of the brain and coordinates fine motor skills, balance, and posture.

Brain Stem

Lower part of the brain that connects to the spinal cord, regulating vital functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure, as well as controlling basic reflexes and sleep-wake cycles.

Motor Cortex

The region of the brain, located in the frontal lobe, responsible for planning and executing voluntary movements.

Sensory Cortex

Processes sensory information from the body, including touch, temperature, and pain. In the Parietal Lobe.

Central Nervous System

Consists of the brain and spinal cord, coordinating and processing information to control bodily functions and responses.

Peripheral Nervous System

Includes all the nerves outside the central nervous system, connecting the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body, and facilitating communication between them.

Contralateral

Refers to the relationship between structures on opposite sides of the body or brain, where one side controls or receives input from the other.

Corpus Callosum

Thick band of tissue that allows RH and LH to communicate. Cutting this band can be helpful for people who have epilepsy.

Reticular Formation

Goes through the brainstem and radiates out—a network of neurons in the brainstem that regulates arousal, alertness, and the sleep-wake cycle.

Medulla

Controls heartbeat, breathing, and blood pressure.

Pons

Part of the brainstem that relays signals between the cerebellum and the cerebrum. Plays a role in regulating sleep and arousal.

The Limbic System

The hypothalamus, thalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala.

Thalamus

Brain structure that acts as a relay station for sensory information, processing and transmitting signals to the appropriate areas of the cerebral cortex.

Hypothalamus

Small region that regulates vital functions such as temperature, hunger, thirst, sleep, and the body's stress response. Also controls the pituitary gland to influence hormone release.

Hippocampus

Involved in forming and organizing memories, as well as in spatial navigation and learning.

Amygdala

Involved in processing emotional responses, particularly fear and aggression, and plays a key role in emotional memory formation.

Olfactory Bulbs

Structures at the base of the brain that process smell information received from the nasal cavity, relaying it to other areas of the brain for further interpretation. Located close to memory centers, important for taste.

Ventricles

Open spaces filled with cerebrospinal fluid. Used to cushion, protect, and drain waste for the brain.

Broca’s Area

This area regulates breathing patterns while speaking and the production of speech, “I can’t find the words”.

Wernicke’s Area

Helps with understanding speech and producing coherent speech, “I words around sense no”.

Pineal Gland

Helps regulate circadian rhythm and releases the hormone melatonin.