Psych Vocab: Brain Part II

A naturally or experimentally cuased destruction of brain tissue.

An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain's surface.

A series of x-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice through the body.

A visual display of brain activity that detects wehre a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task.

A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computergenerated images that distinguish among different types of soft tissue; allows us to see structures within the brain.

The oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; it is responsible for autonomic survival functions.

The base of the brain stem; controls heartbeat and breathing.

A nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal.

The brain's sensory switchboard, located on top of the brainstem, it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla.

The "little brain" attached to the rear of the brainstem; it helps coordinate voluntary movement and balance.

A doughnut shaped system of neural structures at the border of the brainstem and cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions such as fear and agression and drives such as those for food and sex.

Two almond-shaped neural clusters that are components of the limbic system and linked to emotion.

A neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities, help govern the endocrine system via the pituary gland, and is linked to emotion.

The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells that covers the cerebral hemispheres; the body's ultimate control and info-processing center.

Cells in the nervous sytem that support, nourish, and protect neurons.

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

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and towards the rear; includes the sensory cortex.

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes the visual areas, which receive visual info from the opposite visual field.

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas.

An area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements.

The area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body sensations.

Areas of the cerebral cortex not involved in primary motor or sense functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, thinking, and speaking.

Impairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage either to the Broca's area or Wernicke's area.

Controls language expression; an area of the frontal lobe that directs the muscle movements involved in speech.

Controls language reception.