Overview of the Cerebral Cortex

Introduction

• Cerebral Cortex: Layer of gray matter on the outside of the cerebrum.
• Components:
  • Cerebellum
  • Brainstem

Structure

• Ridges (Gyri): Plural form is gyri, a single ridge is a gyrus.
• Grooves (Sulci): Plural form is sulci, a single groove is a sulcus.
  • Large Grooves (Fissures): Example provided.

Lobes of the Cerebral Cortex

• Named after skull bones
• Frontal Lobe: Under the frontal bone
• Parietal Lobe: Next to the parietal bone
• Temporal Lobe: Next to the temporal bone
• Occipital Lobe: Next to the occipital bone
• Other Areas: Not visible in the standard illustration but present between hemispheres and within fissures.

Complexity and Functions

• Complexity: Most complex part of the nervous system.
• Functions: Includes higher-level processing and functions.

Sensory and Motor Functions

• Cross-Body Processing:
  • Visual Information: Right visual input processed in the left occipital lobe and vice versa.
  • Somatosensory Information: Right body sensation processed in the left hemisphere and vice versa.
  • Motor Information: Motor control on one side performed by the opposite hemisphere.

Types of Cortical Areas

• Primary Cortex: Basic motor or sensory functions.
• Association Cortex: More complex functions, involving integration of multiple types of information.
  • Examples: Motor planning, sensory integration.

Higher Functions

• Language: Typically localized in the left hemisphere.
• Cognition
• Emotion
• Consciousness
• Attention: Right hemisphere often attends to both sides, left hemisphere typically to the right.

Connections

• Interconnections:
  • Motor Cortices: Work with basal ganglia and cerebellum for motor functions.
  • Inter-area Communication: Various parts of the cortex and nervous system are interconnected.