Brain Structure Definitions in AP Psychology

Occipital Lobe

Processes visual information; located at the back of the brain.

Parietal Lobe

Handles touch, pressure, and spatial awareness.

Temporal Lobe

Processes hearing and language; also involved in memory.

Frontal Lobe

Controls thinking, planning, movement, and decision-making.

Cerebellum

Coordinates movement and balance.

Medulla Oblongata

Controls basic life functions like heartbeat and breathing.

Pons

Connects brain regions; helps with sleep, posture, and facial expressions.

Reticular Formation

Controls alertness and filters incoming sensory signals.

Basal Ganglia

Helps control smooth, voluntary movements.

Substantia Nigra

Part of the basal ganglia that produces dopamine for movement.

Thalamus

The brain's "sensory relay station"; sends sensory info to the cortex.

Cerebrum/Cerebral Cortex

The outer brain layer that does complex thinking and processing.

Hypothalamus

Regulates hunger, thirst, body temperature, and hormones.

Pituitary Gland

The "master gland" that releases hormones and controls other glands.

Hippocampus

Creates and stores long-term memories.

Amygdala

Processes emotions, especially fear and aggression.

Olfactory Bulbs

Process smell information.

Cingulate Gyrus

Involved in emotional regulation and pain processing.

Corpus Callosum

Connects the left and right brain hemispheres.