PSYCH 7A Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Neocortex, Prefrontal Cortex, Basal Ganglia
3. The Structures of the brain
Hindbrain
● The hindbrain, located at the skull’s rear, is the lowest portion of the brain.
○ Medulla
■ The medulla
begins where the spinal cord enters the skull and it controls
many vital functions, such as breathing and heart rate. It also regulates
our reflexes.
○ Cerebellum
■ Motor coordination
○ Pons
■ The pons
is a bridge in the hindbrain that connects the cerebellum and
the brain stem. It contains several clusters of fibers involved in sleep and
arousal
Midbrain
● The midbrain relays information between the brain and the eyes and ears
○ The reticular formation is a diffuse collection of neurons involved in stereotyped
patterns of behavior such as walking, sleeping, and turning to attend to a sudden
noise
Forebrain
● The human forebrain’s most important structures are the limbic system, thalamus, basal
ganglia, hypothalamus, and cerebral cortex
● The limbic system has the amygdala and hippocampus
○ Memory and emotion
● The thalamus is a forebrain structure that sits at the top of the brain stem in the central
core of the brain
○ Relays info
● Above the thalamus and under the cerebral cortex lie large clusters, or ganglia,
of
neurons called basal ganglia
○ control and coordinate voluntary movements
● The hypothalamus, a small forebrain structure just below the thalamus, monitors three
rewarding activities—eating, drinking, and sex—as well as emotion, stress, and reward
Cerebral cortex
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PSYCH 7A Full Course Notes
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Document Summary
The hindbrain, located at the skull"s rear, is the lowest portion of the brain. The medulla begins where the spinal cord enters the skull and it controls many vital functions, such as breathing and heart rate. The pons is a bridge in the hindbrain that connects the cerebellum and the brain stem. It contains several clusters of fibers involved in sleep and arousal. The midbrain relays information between the brain and the eyes and ears. The reticular formation is a diffuse collection of neurons involved in stereotyped patterns of behavior such as walking, sleeping, and turning to attend to a sudden noise. The human forebrain "s most important structures are the limbic system, thalamus, basal ganglia, hypothalamus, and cerebral cortex. The limbic system has the amygdala and hippocampus. The thalamus is a forebrain structure that sits at the top of the brain stem in the central core of the brain.
