FUNCTIONAL AREAS OF CEREBRAL CORTEX

FUNCTIONAL AREAS OF CEREBRAL CORTEX

• Cerebral Cortex - outer layer of the brain responsible for processing sensory information, controlling movement, managing higher-level cognitive tasks such as thought, action, and perception.

Functional Areas of Cerebral Cortex:

1. Primary Motor Cortex (M1) - located in the frontal lobe, responsible for executing voluntary movements.
   • Involved in the planning and execution of movements.
   • Located in the precentral gyrus.
2. Primary Sensory Cortex (S1) - located in the parietal lobe, responsible for receiving and processing sensory information.
   • Involved in the reception and interpretation of sensory stimuli.
   • Located in the postcentral gyrus.
3. Association Cortex - located in various lobes, responsible for processing complex information.
   • Involved in higher-level cognitive tasks such as perception, attention, and memory.
4. Visual Cortex - located in the occipital lobe, responsible for processing visual information.
   • Involved in the reception and interpretation of visual stimuli.
   • Located in the calcarine sulcus.
5. Auditory Cortex - located in the temporal lobe, responsible for processing auditory information.
   • Involved in the reception and interpretation of auditory stimuli.
6. Somatosensory Cortex - located in the parietal lobe, responsible for processing somatic sensations.
   • Involved in the reception and interpretation of somatic sensations.
7. Frontal Eye Fields (FFF) - located in the frontal lobe, responsible for controlling eye movements.
   • Involved in the planning and execution of eye movements.
8. Temporal Lobes - involved in processing auditory information, memory, and language.
9. Parietal Lobes - involved in processing somatic sensations, spatial awareness, and attention.
10. Occipital Lobes - involved in processing visual information.

Importance:

• The cerebral cortex is responsible for controlling voluntary movements, processing sensory information, and managing higher-level cognitive tasks.
• Damage to specific areas of the cerebral cortex can result in various cognitive, motor, or sensory deficits.

Applied Anatomy:

• Understanding the functional areas of the cerebral cortex is essential for diagnosing and treating neurological disorders.
• Knowledge of the cerebral cortex is essential for neurosurgeons, neurologists, and other medical professionals.
• The cerebral cortex is also essential for understanding human behavior, cognition, and emotions.