Lesiondamaged area of the tissue (in psychology, the brain)
brain imaging tests can reveal brain lesions
Electroencephalogramrecording of brain-wave patterns produced by electrical activity of the surface of the brain
in an EEG, electrodes are attached to the patient’s head to record the brain-wave patterns; EEGs can show symptoms of certain conditions, like seizures
ONCHAPTER 2 PART 2 SPECIFICALLY FOR YOUFOR ONLY$13. 90/PAGEOrder NowPET scanbrain-imaging method in which a radioactive sugar is injected into the subject and a computer compiles a color-coded image of the activity of the brain, with lighter colors indicating more activity
PET scans are often used to see how effective an ongoing treatment is
MRIbrain-imaging method using radio waves and magnetic fields of the body to produce detailed images of the brain
MRI provides good contrast between the different soft tissues of the body, almost making it effective in imaging the brain, muscles, the heart, and cancers
fMRIMRI technique in which computer tracks changes in the oxygen levels in the blood
compared to a normal MRI, the fMRI is much less invasive and much easier to perform
Brainstempart of the brain adjoining with the spinal cord
the brainstem is divided into three main sections: the midbrain, the pons, and the medulla
Medullathe first large swelling at the top of the spinal cord, forming the lowest part of the brain, which is responsible for life-sustaining functions such as breathing, swallowing, and heart rate
as part of the brainstem, the medulla helps in the transferring of messages between various parts of the brain and the spinal cord
Reticular formationan area of neurons running through the middle of the medulla and the pons and slightly beyond that play a role in general arousal, alertness, and sleep
the reticular formation also plays a role in sleep
Thalamusrelays sensory information from the lower part of the brain to the proper areas of the cortex and processes some sensory information before sending it to its proper area
the thalamus is part of the limbic system located in the center of the brain
Cerebellumpart of the lower brain located behind the pons that controls an coordinates involuntary, rapid, fine motor movement
the cerebellum relays information between body muscles and areas of the cerebral cortex
Limbic systema group of several brain structures located under the cortex and involved in learning, emotion, memory, and motivation
the limbic system is particular involved in emotions and behaviors related to survival
Amygdalaresponsible for fear responses and memory of fear
the amygdala is located near the hippocampus
Hypothalamussmall structure in the brain located below the thalamus and directly above the pituitary gland
it responsible for motivational behavior such as sleep, hunger, thirst, and sex
Cerebral cortexcontrols thought processes
the cerebral cortex is responsible for thinking, perceiving, and producing and understanding language–it is the most highly developed part of the human brain
Glial cellscells that provide support for the neurons to grow on and around, deliver nutrients to neurons, and produce myelin to coat axons.
Glial cells also influence information processesing
Frontal lobesareas of the cortex located in the front and top of the brain, responsible for higher mental processes and decision making
frontal lobes are also responsible for the production of fluent speech
Parietal lobessections of the brain located at the top and back of each cerebral hemisphere containing the centers for touch and taste
the parential lobes are also responsible for temperatures sensations
Occipital lobessection of the brain containing the visual centers of the brain
the occipital lobe is located at the rear and bottom of each cerebral hemisphere
Temporal lobesareas of the cortex containing the neurons responsible for the sense of hearing and meaningful speech
the temporal lobes are located just behind the temples
Motor cortexresponsible for sending motor commands to the muscles of the somatic nervous system
The motor cortex is located at the back of the frontal lobe
Sensory cortexareas within each lobe of the cortex responsible for the coordination and interpretation of information
it is also resonsible for higher mental proccessing
Association areasareas within each lobe of the cortex responsible for the coordination and interpretation of information, as well as higher mental processing
association areas are neither motor or sensory
Aphasiadisorder resulting from damage to the parts of the brain that control language, causing problems with any or all of the following: speaking, listening, reading, and writing
there are several types of aphasia that vary in severity
Broca’s areaBroca’s area is one of the main areas of the cerebral cortex responsible for producing language
Broca’s area controls motor functions involved in speech production–people with damaged Broca’s areas can understand language but cannot properly form words or produce speech
Wernicke’s areaone of the two parts of the cerebral cortex linked–it’s involved in the understanding of written and spoken language
language development ca be seriously impaired by damage to this area of the brain
Neuroplasticitythe ability within the brain to constantly change both the structure and function of many cells in response to experience or trauma
because of neuroplasticity, one could live without a part of their brain
Corpus callosumthick band of neurons that connects the right and left cerebral hemispheres
the corpus callosum is involved in several functions including eye movement and maintaining the balance of arousal and attention
Split brainconditioning where the corpus callosum is severed
when patients with a split brain are shown an image in their left visual field, they cannot vocally name what they have seen
