Neurology Exam Prep Podcast Episode 5 - Cortex and Thalamus Anatomy
Jan 19, 2020
Dive into the fascinating world of the brain's cortex and thalamus. Explore the major lobes and their unique functions. Discover how these structures relate to various clinical syndromes. Plus, pick up mnemonic aids to make memorization a breeze. It's an insightful journey into neuroanatomy that blends learning with practicality!
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Frontal Lobe Motor Cortex Layout
- The frontal lobe contains the primary motor cortex with a somatotopic arrangement known as the cortical homunculus.
- Different strokes affect motor function selectively, e.g., anterior cerebral artery strokes cause leg weakness, middle cerebral artery strokes cause face and arm weakness.
Prefrontal Cortex Subregions
- The prefrontal cortex has three subregions with distinct functions: dorsolateral for executive function, orbitofrontal for emotional regulation, and mesial frontal for motivation.
- Damage to these areas leads to different syndromes like disinhibition or akinetic mutism.
Parietal Lobe Function and Syndromes
- The parietal lobe has primary and associative somatosensory cortices important for sensory integration and spatial recognition.
- Dominant vs non-dominant lesions cause distinct syndromes: neglect and anosognosia in non-dominant; apraxia and Gerstmann syndrome in dominant hemisphere.