Week 203 (Y209) Higher Cortical Function

The visual cortex is mostly part of the occipital lobe. The occipital lobe is responsible for processing visual information received from the eyes. It contains the primary visual cortex, which is involved in basic visual processing such as recognizing shapes, colors, and motion. The occipital lobe plays a crucial role in our ability to see and interpret the visual world around us.

The MCA supplies both Brocas area (superior division of MCA) and Wernickes area (inferior division of MCA)

The frontal and temporal lobes are separated by the lateral sulcus. This sulcus, also known as the Sylvian fissure, is one of the major landmarks in the brain, dividing the frontal and parietal lobes from the temporal lobe. It is a deep groove that runs horizontally along the side of the brain, and it plays a crucial role in separating and organizing different functional areas of the brain. Therefore, the correct answer is the lateral sulcus.

The primary somatosensory cortex is responsible for processing sensory information related to touch, pressure, temperature, and pain. It receives input from sensory receptors located throughout the body and is involved in the perception and interpretation of somatic sensations. The parietal lobe is known to be involved in sensory processing and integration, making it the most likely location for the primary somatosensory cortex. The frontal lobe is primarily responsible for higher cognitive functions, the occipital lobe is responsible for visual processing, the temporal lobe is involved in auditory processing and memory, and the cerebellum is responsible for motor coordination and balance.

~90% of the population is left-hemisphere dominant

Agnosia refers to the inability to recognize and interpret sensory stimuli, such as objects, people, sounds, or smells, despite having normal sensory abilities. It is a neurological disorder that can affect one or more senses, including vision, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. People with agnosia may have difficulty identifying familiar objects or faces, even though their senses are intact. This condition can be caused by brain damage or neurological disorders, such as stroke, dementia, or traumatic brain injury. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and helping individuals adapt to their impaired sensory perception.

The correct answer is the central sulcus. The central sulcus is a prominent fold in the cerebral cortex that separates the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe. It runs horizontally across the brain and is also known as the fissure of Rolando. This sulcus plays a crucial role in dividing the motor and sensory areas of the brain, with the primary motor cortex located in the frontal lobe and the primary sensory cortex located in the parietal lobe.

The primary motor cortex (M1) is responsible for initiating voluntary movements. It is located in the frontal lobe of the brain. The frontal lobe is involved in various higher cognitive functions, such as decision making, problem solving, and planning. It is also responsible for controlling voluntary movements, making it the most suitable location for the primary motor cortex. The occipital lobe is primarily responsible for processing visual information, the parietal lobe is involved in sensory perception and spatial awareness, the temporal lobe is responsible for auditory processing and memory, and the cerebellum is responsible for motor coordination and balance.

Broca's area is a region in the brain that is responsible for speech production and language processing. It is located in the frontal lobe, specifically in the left hemisphere for right-handed individuals. This area plays a crucial role in coordinating the movements required for speech production and is involved in language comprehension as well. Damage to Broca's area can result in a condition called Broca's aphasia, where individuals have difficulty speaking fluently but can still understand language. Therefore, the correct answer is the frontal lobe.

Dysarthria refers to the inability to move the muscles of the face and tongue that are involved in speaking. This condition affects the ability to articulate words clearly and may result in slurred speech, difficulty in pronouncing words, or a change in the rhythm and speed of speech. It is important to note that dysarthria does not affect the understanding of speech, as mentioned in the other options. Additionally, dysarthria specifically relates to speaking and does not involve the ability to write coherently or move the muscles of the arm and hand for writing.

Wernicke's area is a region in the brain that is responsible for language comprehension and is involved in the understanding and production of speech. It is primarily located in the left hemisphere of the brain, specifically in the posterior part of the superior temporal gyrus, which is within the temporal lobe. This area plays a crucial role in the processing and interpretation of spoken and written language, and damage to this region can result in language deficits such as receptive aphasia, where individuals struggle to understand and comprehend language.

Projections to other parts of the cortex arise from layer III of the cortical layer. This layer is known as the "external pyramidal layer" and is located between the granular layer IV and the infragranular layers V and VI. Layer III contains pyramidal cells that send axons to other cortical areas, allowing for communication and integration between different regions of the cortex.

Astereoagnosia refers to the inability to recognize objects solely through touch, without any visual stimuli. This condition affects the individual's ability to perceive and interpret tactile sensations accurately, leading to difficulties in identifying objects by touch alone. Unlike prosopagnosia, which specifically relates to the inability to recognize faces, astereoagnosia encompasses the broader category of object recognition. Autotopagnosia refers to the inability to recognize one's own body parts, while alexithymia is a personality trait characterized by difficulty in identifying and expressing emotions. Ataxia refers to a lack of muscle coordination.

The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is the most important region for working memory. This region is responsible for the storage and manipulation of information in the short-term memory. It plays a crucial role in tasks that require attention, planning, decision-making, and problem-solving. Damage to this area can result in deficits in working memory, such as difficulties in remembering and organizing information.

The left hemisphere of the brain is typically responsible for language processing, as well as logical reasoning and problem-solving. It is also involved in tasks that require following a set of written directions, such as navigation. Therefore, characteristics such as language, logic, and navigation by following written directions are usually located in/controlled by the left hemisphere of the brain.

The frontal lobe is home to many of the most complex and "human" of behaviours. Thus damage can produce a variety of symptoms

The remaining symptoms are of Wernickes aphasia. Remember that Brocas area is in the frontal lobe which co-ordinates the appropriate response to incoming stimuli, whereas Wernickes area is in the Temporal lobe which is responsible for identifying the nature of incoming stimuli