Читать книгу Abnormal Psychology - William J. Ray - Страница 75

Let’s begin with some simple terms. Structures closer to the front of the brain are referred to as anterior, whereas those closer to the back are called posterior. You will also see the terms dorsal, which is toward the back side, and ventral, which is toward the belly side (see Figure 2.3).

The brain appears symmetrical from the top with left and right hemispheres. Structures closer to the midline dividing the left and right hemispheres are referred to as medial, whereas those farther away from the midline are called lateral.

Brain areas can be described both in terms of location and function. Looking at the left hemisphere from the side, we can describe four lobes of the brain (see Figure 2.4). In addition to structure, we can also describe areas of the brain that are associated with different functions (see Figure 2.5). The frontal lobe is located at the front of the cortex. The frontal lobe is involved in planning, higher-order cognitive processes such as thinking and problem solving, as well as moral and social judgments.

Figure 2.4 The Left Hemisphere of the Brain From the Left Side Noting the Major Anatomical Structures

There is a cavity referred to as the central sulcus that separates the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe. The brain area behind the central sulcus receives sensory information from our body including the experience of touch. The area in front of the central sulcus allows the muscles of our bodies to make movements such as picking up a glass. The parietal lobe, which is toward the back and at the top of the cortex, is involved in spatial processes such as knowing where you are in space and performing spatial problems. The occipital lobe is located near the back of the brain and toward the bottom. The occipital lobe is involved with the processing of visual information and receives information from our eyes. Below the frontal and parietal lobes is the temporal lobe. Looking at the brain, you can see that the frontal and temporal lobes are separated by a deep groove, which is called the Sylvian fissure. The temporal lobe receives information from our ears and is involved in hearing as well as aspects of language. Other parts of the temporal lobe are involved in the naming of objects from visual information processed in the occipital lobes. Let us now turn to the manner in which information moves throughout the brain with an emphasis on the neuron.

Figure 2.5 The Brain in Terms of Structural and Functional Anatomy