Brain Regions and Structures

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the major regions, structures, and functional areas of the brain based on the lecture transcript.

Hindbrain

The main division of the brain containing brainstem structures that direct essential survival functions such as breathing, sleeping, arousal, coordination, and balance.

Midbrain

The brain division located at the top of the brainstem that connects the hindbrain with the forebrain, controls some movement, and transmits auditory and visual information.

Forebrain

The brain division consisting of the cerebral cortex, thalamus, and hypothalamus that manages complex cognitive activity, sensory and associated functions, and voluntary motor activities.

Brainstem

The brain's innermost region and central core beginning where the spinal cord enters the skull, responsible for automatic survival functions and acting as a crossover point for nerves.

Medulla

The hindbrain structure at the base of the brainstem that controls heartbeat and breathing.

Pons

The hindbrain structure sitting just above the medulla that helps coordinate movement and control sleep.

Thalamus

The forebrain's sensory control center located at the top of the brainstem that routes incoming info from all senses except smell to cortex regions and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla.

Reticular formation

A nerve network extending from the spinal cord to the thalamus inside the brainstem that filters incoming stimuli and plays an important role in controlling arousal.

Cerebellum

The hindbrain's 'little brain' located at the rear of the brainstem that processes sensory input, coordinates movement output and balance, and enables nonverbal learning and memory.

Basal ganglia

Deep brain structures involved in motor movement that, along with the cerebellum and pons, enable nonverbal learning and skill memory.

Limbic system

A neural system located mostly in the forebrain below the cerebral hemispheres, containing the amygdala, hypothalamus, and hippocampus, associated with emotions and drives.

Amygdala

Two almond-shaped neural clusters in the limbic system linked to emotion, threat perception, fear, and aggression.

Hypothalamus

A limbic system neural structure below the thalamus that governs bodily maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward.

Nucleus accumbens

A limbic system reward center located in front of the hypothalamus.

Hippocampus

A seahorse-shaped neural center in the limbic system that processes explicit, conscious memories of facts and events for storage.

Cerebral cortex

The thin surface layer of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres that serves as the body's ultimate control and information-processing center.

Frontal lobes

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead involved in speaking, muscle movements, and making plans and judgments.

Parietal lobes

The portion of the cerebral cortex at the top of the head toward the rear that receives sensory input for touch and body position.

Occipital lobes

The portion of the cerebral cortex at the back of the head that receives information from the visual fields.

Temporal lobes

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears that includes auditory areas receiving information primarily from the opposite ear.

Motor cortex

The area of the cerebral cortex at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements.

Somatosensory cortex

The area of the cerebral cortex at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations.

Association areas

Areas of the cerebral cortex not involved in primary motor or sensory functions, but involved in higher mental functions like learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking.

Functional connectivity

Communication among distinct brain areas and neural networks that results in complex processes like memory, language, attention, and social skills.