Anatomy, names and function of cerebral cortex areas

Human cerebral cortex is the outermost layer the brain. It is the most important area of human brain. Even with current technology very little is known regarding the human cerebral cortex. However several cortical areas are found to be unique in their function. These clealy identified areas are discussed in this hub. Most of other areas may have variety of complex functions that are not unique or specific.

This is situated in precentral area of the brain. It is situated just in front of the large central groove called central sulcus. Precentral area of the brain can be devided into posterior or anterior. Primary motor area is situated in the posterior potion of precentral gyrus. In addition it extends over to the superior border into the paracentral lobule.

Function

Carryout the individual movements of different parts of the body. For this it receives numerous afferent fibers from premotor area, sensory cortex and thalamus, basal ganglia, and cerebellum. It is the final station that convert the motor design into action (execution of movements).

Premotor area is wider superiorly than below and narrows down to be confined to the anterior part of the precentral gyrus. It is situated anterior to the somatomotor cortex.

This area receives various inputs from sensory cortex, thalamus and the basal ganglia.

Function is store programs of motor activity. In addition it is involved with the basal ganglia to control coarse postural movements.

Area that is extended from the facial area of the precentral gyrus into the middle frontal gyrus. It connects to extra ocular muscles through superior colliculus.

Frontal eye field is considered to control voluntary scanning movements of the eye that is independent of visual stimuli.

Brings about formation of words by its connections with the adjacent primary motor areas. It make sure muscles of larynx, mouth, tongue, soft palate and respiratory muscles are appropriately stimulated.

It is located in inferior frontal gyrus.

Prefrontal cortex is an extensive area situated in the most anterior part (frontal) of the brain. It has large connections with other cortical areas including thalamus, hypothalamus and the corpus striatum. In addition frontopontine fibres connects cerebellum through pontine nuclei. Commissural fibers of corpus callosum unite both prefrotal corteces.

Functions

1. Form the individuals personality

2. Regulator of the persons depth of feeling

3. Determine the initiative and judgment of an individual.

In fact, prefrontal cortex seems to make us human. READ MORE

This occupies the post central gyrus on the lateral surface of the cerebral hemisphere and the posterior part of the Paracentral lobule on the medial side. It receives sensory projection fibers from VPL and VPM nucleus of thalamus. Pharynx, larynx and perineum sensations go to both sides of the cortex. Other areas are represented by the opposite side.

Occupies the superior parietal lobule extending onto the medial surface of the hemisphere. It has many connections with the other sensory areas of the brain.

It receives and integrates various sensory modalities. It helps to recognize objects placed on the hand without visual stimuli.

Primary visual area is situated in the posterior part of the calcarine sulcus. It is usually thinner than other parts of the cortex.

Visual cortex receives afferent fibers from the lateral geniculate body. Visual cortex also receives fibers from temporal half of the ipsilateral retina and nasal half of the contralateral retina. In addition superior quadrants of the retina (inferior visual field) pass to the superior wall of the calcarine sulcus. Inferior quadrants of the retina (superior visual field) are passed to the inferior wall of the calcarine sulcus.

Macula lutea, which is the central part of the visual cortex and it is accounts for one third of the visual cortex. Visual impulses from the peripheral parts of the retina terminate in concentric circles anterior to the occipital lobe. Visual cortex is receives raw visual stimuli from the retina.

Secondary visual area

This area surrounds the primary visual area on the medial and lateral surfaces of the hemisphere. Receives impulses from the area 17 (visual cortex) and other cortical areas as well as from the thalamus. Function is to relate past experiences to the impulses received from the primary visual area. 

 Occipital eye field

Is thought to be exists in the secondary visual area. Function is to move reflex move eyes. In contrast frontal eye field is responsible for voluntary eye movement.

Primary auditory area

Primary auditory area is situated in the inferior wall of the lateral sulcus. Projection fibers to the auditory cortex arise primarily in the medial geniculate body and form the auditory radiation of the internal capsule. Anterior part is responsible for the reception of low frequency sounds. Posterior part is responsible for high frequency sounds. Unilateral lesion in primary auditory cortex results in partial deafness of the both ears. However the deafness is marked in contralateral ear. This is due the fact that medial geniculate body receives fibers mainly from the opposite organ of corti.

Secondary auditory area

This is situated posterior to the primary auditory area in the lateral sulcus and in the superior temporal gyrus. Secondary auditory area receives supply from both primary auditory area and from the thalamus. Its function is to interpret raw sounds received from the ears. In addition it is important for the association of auditory information with other sensory information.

Wernickes sensory speech area

This is located in the left dominant hemisphere. It is situated chiefly in the superior temporal gyrus. It extends into the parietal region around the posterior end of the lateral sulcus. This region of the cortex is connected with the broca’s area with nerve fibres called arcuate fasciculus. In addition it receives fibers from visual cortex, auditory cortex. Wernickes area allows the understanding of written and spoken language and permits a person to read a sentence, understand and speak it out loud. This is a very important cortical area where somatic, visual and auditory association areas come together.