What is the difference between a lobe and a gyrus

While his head was slightly turned, a mistaken strike sparked an explosion that forced the rod upwards into his left eye and out through his skull. Miraculously, Gage survived, blinded in his left eye and sustaining damage to much of his left frontal lobe.

The frontal lobe also contains the primary motor cortex, the major region responsible for voluntary movement. Image: In , Phineas Gage survived an explosion that drove a tamping iron through his left frontal lobe. The parietal lobe is behind the frontal lobe, separated by the central sulcus.

Areas in the parietal lobe are responsible for integrating sensory information, including touch, temperature, pressure and pain. Because of the processing that occurs in the parietal lobe, we are able to, for example, discern from touch alone that two objects touching the skin at nearby points are distinct, rather than one object. This process is called two-point discrimination. Different areas of the body have more sensory receptors, and so are more sensitive than others in discerning distinct points.

Using callipers or a folded paperclip, and asking a subject to keep their eyes closed, this test can be used to check parietal lobe function. Image: Lawrence House: Public Domain While a subject's eyes are closed, a folded paperclip can be used to test two-point discrimination, which is mediated by the parietal lobe. The tester alternates using one point and two points on the area being tested e. The subject is asked to report whether they felt one or two points.

Separated from the frontal lobe by the lateral fissure, the temporal lobe also contains regions dedicated to processing sensory information, particularly important for hearing, recognising language, and forming memories.

Certain areas in the temporal lobe make sense of complex visual information including faces and scenes. As gyri are important to the structure of the brain, they have clinical significance. For example, some abnormalities with gyri can result in disorders such as epilepsy.

A sulcus plural: sulci is another name for a groove in the cerebral cortex. Each gyrus is surrounded by sulci and together, the gyri and sulci help to increase the surface area of the cerebral cortex and form brain divisions. They form brain divisions by creating boundaries between the lobes, so these are easily identifiable, as well as serving to divide the brain into two hemispheres.

A sulcus is a shallow groove that surrounds a gyrus, whereas sulci that are larger or deeper are given the term fissures. The longitudinal fissure is the large furrow which divides the two hemispheres into left and right. A smooth-surfaced cortex would only be able to increase to a certain extent, therefore sulci in the surface area allows for continued growth, overall increasing brain function. There are two types of sulci which are formed at different times.

The primary sulci e. Secondary sulci, however, are those formed by other factors other than the growth in adjoining areas of the cortex e. Sulci can also be defined in terms of their depth.

A complete sulcus is a sulcus where the groove is very deep e. The longitudinal fissure is a deep furrow located within the center of the brain, separating the left and right hemispheres. Within this fissure is the corpus callosum, which is a bundle of nerve fiberes that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain in order to send visual, auditory, and somatosensory information between each half. The central sulcus, also known as the sulcus of Rolando, separates the parietal and frontal lobes.

This is an essential sulcus because it defines the boundary between primary motor cortex and primary somatosensory cortex as well as between the parietal and frontal lobes. It is believed that as motor functions develop, the shape of the central sulcus will also change, due to the role of this sulcus in separating the motor and sensory cortices.

It has also been suggested that the surface area of the central sulcus can affect the handedness of an individual. A larger central sulcus in the left hemisphere has been found in those who are right-handed, whereas in left-handed people, this sulcus is larger in the right hemisphere.

The parieto-occipital sulcus is a deep groove which separates the parietal and occipital lobes of the brain.

This sulcus formed a notch on the external surface of the cortex, which serves as an indicator of where the parietal and occipital lobes lie. This sulcus is also a secondary sulcus as it forms after birth. The lateral sulcus is a deep groove which separates the parietal and temporal lobes. This is also known as the Sylvian sulcus and begins near the forebrain, extending to the lateral surface of the brain, with the insular cortex being located immediately deep within this sulcus.

The cingulate gyrus is a component of the limbic system , consisting of a curved fold which covers the corpus callosum a bundle of nerve fiberes which connects the right and left cerebral hemispheres. The cingulate gyrus has a role in the processing of emotions and the regulation of behavior. As a result, damage to this area can result in emotional and behavioral disorders.

This region is also involved in regulating autonomic motor function. The cingulate gyrus is often referred to in terms of its divisions: anterior and posterior. The anterior cingulate gyrus is responsible for emotional processing and the vocalisation of emotions, as well as being involved in emotional bonding and attachment, especially between the primary caregiver and child. Neuroanatomy, brainstem. Updated May 8, Cerebellar granule cells encode the expectation of reward.

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I Accept Show Purposes. The Cerebral Cortex. The Four Lobes. The Brain Stem. The Cerebellum. The Limbic System. Brain Conditions The brain can also be affected by a number of conditions and by damage. Some conditions that can affect the brain and its function include: Brain tumors Cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke and vascular dementia Convulsive disorders such as epilepsy Degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease Developmental disorders such as cerebral palsy Infectious diseases such as AIDS dementia Metabolic diseases such as Gaucher's disease Neurogenetic diseases including Huntington's disease and muscular dystrophy Trauma such as head injury and spinal cord injury By studying the brain and learning more about its anatomy and function, researchers are able to develop new treatments and preventative strategies for conditions that affect the brain.

Protecting Your Brain You can't change your genetics or some other risk factors. Diet and Exercise Research suggests that regular physical activity is essential for brain health.

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