What are the main functional divisions of the cerebral cortex?

The cerebral cortex is divided into three main functional areas: motor areas for voluntary movement control, sensory areas for processing sensory information, and association areas that integrate sensory and motor functions for higher cognitive processes.

Which area of the cerebral cortex controls voluntary movement?

The primary motor area (Area 4) in the frontal lobe's precentral gyrus controls voluntary movement. Damage here can lead to contralateral spastic paralysis.

What happens if the primary sensory area in the parietal lobe is damaged?

Damage to the primary sensory area (Areas 3, 1, 2) in the parietal lobe's postcentral gyrus causes sensory loss, such as impaired touch, pain, temperature, and proprioception, on the opposite side of the body.

Where is Broca's area located, and what is its function?

Broca's area is located in the inferior frontal gyrus of the dominant hemisphere (Areas 44, 45). It controls motor speech, and a lesion here results in expressive aphasia, impairing speech production.

What is the role of Wernicke's area in the brain?

Wernicke's area, found in the posterior superior temporal gyrus and extending into the parietal lobe (Areas 39, 40), is critical for language comprehension. Damage causes receptive aphasia, affecting understanding of spoken and written language.

How does damage to the primary visual area affect vision?

Damage to the primary visual area (Area 17) in the occipital lobe's calcarine sulcus leads to visual field defects, such as partial or complete loss of vision in specific areas.

What are the key functions of the cerebral cortex?

The cerebral cortex handles higher cognitive functions, including mental processes like memory, language, and intelligence, sensory perception for vision, hearing, touch, taste, and smell, and initiation of motor commands for voluntary movement.

Cerebral Cortex Functional Areas – Brodmann Basics

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