Download Divisions of the cortex (Describe the primary functions of each lobe)

LAB 1 ANSWERS
Divisions of the cortex (Describe the primary functions of each lobe)
Frontal Lobe: MOTOR CONTROL, SPEECH & COGNITION, SHORT TERM
MEMORY
Parietal Lobe: SENSORY, PROPRIOCEPTION, LANGUAGE COMPREHENSION,
ATTENTION AND SPATIAL AWARENESS
Temporal Lobe: MEMORY, EMOTION PROCESSING, AUDITORY PROCESSING,
SEXUAL & SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
Occipital Lobe: VISUAL PROCESSING
Sulci and Gyri
Begin investigating the dorsal surface of the brain. The outermost portion of the brain is the
cortex, which contains convolutions of various depths called sulci (sulcus), fissures and
gyri (gyrus). The largest furrows are called fissures, while the smaller ones are called sulci.
The “bulges” of cortex are the gyri.
Important fissures (identify divisions) and gyri (identify functions)
Medial Longitudinal Fissure: DIVIDES THE BRAIN INTO TWO EQUAL
HEMISPHERES
Cruciate/Central Fissure: DIVIDES THE FRONTAL AND PARIETAL LOBES
Superior Frontal Fissure: DIVIDES THE FRONTAL LOBE INTO THE SUPERIOR
FRONTAL GYRI AND MEDIAL FRONTAL GYRI (LOCATION OF ASSOCIATION
INTEGRATION)
Rhinal/Lateral Fissure: IN HUMANS, DIVIDES THE TEMPORAL LOBE FROM
THE PARIETAL AND FRONTAL LOBES. IN SHEEP, DIVIDES THE PYRIFORM
CORTEX FROM THE SUPERIOR TEMPORAL GYRI
Precentral Gyrus: PRIMARY MOTOR CORTEX
Postcentral Gyrus: PRIMARY SOMATOSENSORY CORTEX
Superior Temporal Gyri: PRIMARY AUDITORY CORTEX
Subdivisions of the brain:
The brain is divided into different sections. You should know them all and be able to
identify which structures are in which part of the brain.
Forebrain
Telencephalon: CEREBRAL CORTEX, BASAL GANGLIA (CAUDATE NUCLEUS,
GLOBUS PALLIDUS, PUTAMEN, AMYGDALA), LIMBIC SYSTEM (AMYGDALA,
HIPPOCAMPUS, FORNIX, SEPTUM, MAMMILLARY BODIES), CORPUS CALLOSUM
& Rhinencephalon: OLFACTORY BULBS, OLFACTORY TRACT, AMYGDALA,
PYRIFORM LOBE
Diencephalon: THALAMUS, HYPOTHALAMUS, PINEAL BODY, POSTERIOR LOBE OF
THE PITUITARY, MAMMILARY BODIES, OPTIC CHIASM
Midbrain
Mesencephalon: TECTUM (SUPERIOR & INFERIOR COLLICULI) & TEGMENTUM
(RETICULAR FORMATION, SUBSTANTIA NIGRA, RED NUCLEUS, PERIAQUEDUCTAL
GREY)
Hindbrain
Metencephalon: CEREBELLUM & PONS (&RETICULAR FORMATION)
Myencephalon: MEDULLA OBLONGATA (& RETICULAR FORMATION)
Functions for Lateral Diagram:

CEREBELLUM: Involved in maintaining muscle tone, balance, and finely coordinated
movement. Also has implications for cognitive functions, such as learning and attention.
“Fine tuning” of motor responses and cognitive responses.

OLFACTORY TRACT: A band of nerve fibres extending from the olfactory bulb to the
olfactory cortex (pyriform lobe) and amygdala. Associated with the sense of smell.

OLFACTORY BULB: Receives nerve impulses from the olfactory receptors and sends
impulses via the olfactory tract to the olfactory cortex and amygdala. Initial site of odour
discrimination.

PYRIFORM LOBE: olfactory cortex

RHINAL/LATERAL FISSURE: In humans, divides the temporal lobe from the parietal
(and frontal) lobe. In Sheep, divides the pyriform lobe from the superior temporal gyrus.
References
Pinel, J.P.J., (2009). Biopsychology (7th ed.). Boston, Massachusetts: Allyn & Bacon.