Endorphins Natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure.Medulla The base of the brain stem; controls heartbeat and breathing.Reticular formation A nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal.Thalamus The brains sensory switchboard, located on top of the brainstem; directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla.
Cerebellum The little brain attached to the rear of the brainstem; its functions include processing sensory input and coordinating movement output and balance. Limbic system A doughnut shaped system of neural structures at the border of the brainstem and cerebral hemisphere; associated with emotions such as fear and aggression and drives for food and sex. Amygdala Two lima bean shaped neural clusters that are components of the limbic systems and are linked to emotions. Cerebral cortex The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells that covers the cerebral hemispheres; the bodys ultimate control and information processing center. Frontal lobe The portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements, and in making plans and judgement. Parietal lobe The portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position. Occipital lobe The portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes the visual areas, which receives visual information primarily from the opposite visual field. Temporal lobe The portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each of which receives auditory information primarily from the opposite ear. Hypothalamus A neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion. Motor cortex An area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movement. Sensory cortex The area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations. Brocas area Controls language expression; an area in the frontal lobe, usually in the left hemisphere, that directs the muscle movements involved in speech. Wernickes area Controls language reception; a brain area involved in language comprehension and expression; usually in the left temporal lobe. Corpus callosum The large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them. Threshold The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse. Synapse The junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron. The tiny gap at this junction is called the synaptic gap or cleft. ![]() When released by the sending neuron, neurotransmitters travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing whether that neuron will generate a neural impulse. Acetylcholine (ACH) A neurotransmitter that enables learning and memory, and also triggers muscle action; Alzheimers.
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