The Cerebral Cortex

• The functions of the cerebral cortex in receiving sensory information, coordinating voluntary movement and makes conscious decisions in

  the light of experience by recalling memories in order to alter behaviour.
• Localisation of functions to include sensory areas, motor areas and the association areas concerning language, personality, imagination

  and intelligence.
• Information from one side of the body is processed in the opposite side of the cerebrum, transfer of information occurs through the corpus

  callosum.
• • The brain consists of a:

  – Central core

  – Limbic system

  – Cerebral cortex
• Central Core - Contains the medulla and cerebellum
• • Medulla controls

  – Breathing

  – Heart rate

  – Sleep

  – Arousal (being awake and aware of the environment)
• • Cerebellum controls

  – Balance

  – Posture

  – movement
• The cerebral cortex contains 3 functional area

  – Sensory; receive information

  – Association; language, personality, imagination and intelligence

  – Motor; send impulses to appropriate effectors
• • The left side of the cerebral cortex processes information from the right visual field and controls the right side of the body

  • The right side processes information from the left visual field and controls the left side of the body

  • The 2 hemispheres are connected by the corpus callosum which consists of a large bundle of nerves to transfer information.