A neuroscientist is studying a brain scan to distinguish the cortical region responsible for planning and executing voluntary movements from the region that processes bodily sensations like touch and temperature. Which anatomical landmark provides the clearest boundary between these two functionally distinct areas?

This fissure divides the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe (R)

Google

Miami University of Ohio

Located at the front of the brain and extending back to the central sulcus, the frontal lobe receives and coordinates signals from all senses. It is involved in a wide range of higher-order functions, including reasoning, motor control, emotion, language, impulse control, and cognitive tasks such as thinking, speech, and problem-solving. Key areas within the frontal lobe include Broca's area, the Prefrontal Cortex, and the Motor Cortex.

Frontal Lobe

Breedlove, S. & Watson, N. (2017). Behavioral neuroscience, eighth edition. Oxford University Press.

Behavioral Neuroscience 8th Edition

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

 It is the part of the frontal lobe, anterior to the central sulcus, it plays a role in motor control.
It has been found that neurons that control, movement in the precentral gyrus are organized into an orderly map of muscles of the other side of the body. 

Precentral Gyrus

Central Sulcus

The case of Theona, a 62-year-old woman, illustrates the effects of a stroke on the right frontal lobe. The damage resulted in both motor and behavioral deficits. She experienced difficulty moving her left leg, demonstrating the right hemisphere's control over the body's left side. Additionally, damage to her prefrontal cortex led to a loss of impulse control, evidenced by behavioral changes like eating unpaid items in a store, which highlights the prefrontal cortex's role in judgment and reasoning.

Case Study of Theona: Stroke in the Right Frontal Lobe

Brain imaging studies reveal structural and functional abnormalities in the frontal lobes of children with ADHD. This brain region, which is rich in dopamine, is crucial for inhibiting behavior. Compared to their peers without the disorder, children with ADHD tend to have a smaller frontal lobe volume and exhibit reduced activation in this area when performing mental tasks. These neurological differences are thought to be a key explanation for the hyperactive and uncontrolled behaviors characteristic of ADHD.

Frontal Lobe Abnormalities in ADHD

Based on the changes in behavior and cognitive function described in the case study, which major division of the brain is most likely damaged? Justify your answer by connecting the patient's specific symptoms to the known functions of that brain region.

Learn Before

Related

Learn After