Localisation of brain function

What is the diagram of the brain, incl its functions?

What is the diagram of the brain, focusing on speech?

What is the frontal lobe responsible for?

Frontal lobe is responsible for decision making.

Prefrontal area:

• concentration

• judgement

• personality

• emotional traits

What is the function of the Broca’s area?

Function of the Broca’s area=

language/speech production

What is the function of the temporal lobe?

Function of the temporal lobe=

• auditory area, expressed behaviour, memory

Wernicke’s area=

• language/speech comprehension

What is the function of the motor cortex?

Function of the motor cortex=

voluntary motor activity

SNS

What is the function of the brain stem?

Function of the brain stem=

• breathing

• digestion

• heart control

• blood vessel control

• alertness

ANS

What is the function of the parietal lobe?

Function of the parietal lobe=

• processes sensory information- touch, temperature and pain

What is the function of the occipital lobe?

Function of the occipital lobe=

processes visual information

visuospatial sketchpad

What is the function of the cerebellum?

Function of the cerebellum=

coordination and control of voluntary movement

SNS

Where are the Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area found?

Broca’s area is found in the left frontal lobe

Wernicke’s area is found in the left temporal lobe

What ius the left frontal and temporal lobe confirmed through?

Left frontal and left temporal lobe confirmed through fMRI scanning

What is localisation of function?

Localisation of function=

the idea that different areas/structures in the brain are responsible for different behaviours or cognitive processes and activities

What is phrenology?

Phrenology= an old pseudoscience that involves the detailed study of the shape and size of the cranium as a supposed indication of character and mental abilities

What is contralateral organization?

Contralateral organization= the idea that the two brain hemispheres are responsible for opposite sides of our bodies ie the left hemisphere is for the right side of the brain and vice versa (lateralisation)

What is the table for the localised Areas of the Brain: Location, Function, and Damage Effects?

Motor area

• where?

• function?

• if damaged?

Motor area: is found at the back of both frontal lobes

Function of motor area: controls the voluntary movements in the opposite side of the body

If the motor area is damaged: loss of fine motor control (movement)

Somatosensory area

• where?

• function?

• if damaged?

Somatosensory area: is found at the front of both parietal lobes

Function of somatosensory area: proceses sensory information

If the somatosensory area is damaged: difficulty processing sensory information

Visual area

• where?

• function?

• if damaged?

Visual area: is found in the occipital lobes

Function of visual area: processes visual information from the left and right visual fields (lateralised)

If the visual area is damaged: full/partial blindness depending on the area damaged

Auditory area

• where?

• function?

• if damaged?

Audiory area: is found in the temporal lobes

Function of the auditory area: processes auditory (esp speech- based) information

If the auditory area is damaged: full or partial deafness/ aphasia depending on area/extent of damage

What is the case study of Phineas Gage?

Case study of Phineas Gage=

• He survived an explosion that drove a large iron rod clean through his skull, entering beneath his left cheekbone and exiting the top of his head.

• damage to his frontal lobe (specifically the prefrontal cortex)

• personality: calm and reserved→ quick to anger and rude

This case provides clinical evidence for the localisation of brain function, specifically demonstrating that the frontal lobe is directly responsible for mood regulation, personality.

What is Broca’s area and Brocha’s aphasia?

Broca’s area is located in the left frontal lobe and is involved with speech production.

Damage to this area→ Broca’s aphasia, where speech becomes slow, effortful and difficult to produce,

although they know what to say.

e.g instead of saying “I want a cup of tea,” they may say “Want…tea…cup.”

What is Wernicke’s area and Wernicke’s aphasia?

Wernicke’s area is located in the left temporal lobe, and is involved in understanding language.

Damage to this area→ Wernicke’s aphasia, where speech remains fluent but may make little or no sense.

May have difficulty understanding what other people are saying.

e.g they may say “the table is singing the blue telephone.”

How were Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area verified and linked?

Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area have been verified by brain scanning.

Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area are linked by arcuate fasciculus: meaning that they work in conjunction with each other