The HOPES Brain Tutorial (Non-Flash Version) Part 4
A guided tour of the human brain and its parts.
Lobes of the Brain
Two sulci - the central sulcus and the lateral sulcus - are used to divide each hemisphere into four sections known as lobes: the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe, and occipital lobe. (Below follows more information on each lobe.)
All of the lobes also contain areas for which specialized functions have not yet been identified. These areas are known as the association cortex and are thought to be involved in complex, higher-level mental activity.
Frontal Lobe
The frontal lobe has a major role in the planning and execution of movements. It contains the pre-frontal, pre-motor and motor areas, listed from front to back.
The pre-frontal cortex is particularly associated with higher level thought, decision-making and planning. It has a significant inhibitory role over impulses and actions. People with HD sometimes have degeneration of the prefrontal cortex, leading to increased impulsiveness and changes in behavior.
The pre-motor and motor cortices process and transmit information regarding body movement. There are two pathways connecting the motor cortex and the basal ganglia to coordinate movement. As nerve cells in the basal ganglia die as a result of HD, both of these pathways are eventually damaged.
Parietal Lobe
The parietal lobe is separated from the frontal cortex by the central sulcus. It lies posterior to (behind) the frontal lobe and superior to (above) the temporal lobe. The parietal lobe contains the primary sensory cortex through which sensations, such as touch and pressure, are felt. In addition, it has a key role in spatial orientation and information processing.
Temporal Lobe
The temporal lobe is located inferior to (below) the frontal and parietal lobes. It is primarily involved with auditory processing and memory.
Occipital Lobe
The occipital lobe is located posterior to (behind) the temporal lobe and is the visual center of the brain. Visual information from the eyes is processed here.
Last Modified: 4-29-04
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Two sulci - the central sulcus and the lateral sulcus - are used to divide each hemisphere into four sections known as lobes: the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe, and occipital lobe. (Below follows more information on each lobe.)
The frontal lobe has a major role in the planning and execution of movements. It contains the pre-frontal, pre-motor and motor areas, listed from front to back.
The parietal lobe is separated from the frontal cortex by the central sulcus. It lies posterior to (behind) the frontal lobe and superior to (above) the temporal lobe. The parietal lobe contains the primary sensory cortex through which sensations, such as touch and pressure, are felt. In addition, it has a key role in spatial orientation and information processing.
The temporal lobe is located inferior to (below) the frontal and parietal lobes. It is primarily involved with auditory processing and memory.
The occipital lobe is located posterior to (behind) the temporal lobe and is the visual center of the brain. Visual information from the eyes is processed here.
