The cerebral cortex is the main functional unit of the cerebrum.[Tortora & Derrickson, 2009] The three main functional areas of the cerebral cortex are:[Tortora & Derrickson, 2009; Prise & Wilson, 2003]
- motor areas that control voluntary movement (primary, secondary, and association motor areas)
- sensory areas that allow for visual, auditory, gustatory, olfactory, and sensory perception (primary, secondary, and association sensory areas)
- areas associated with higher mental functions.
The surface of the brain is highly convoluted, with folds and grooves.[Martin, 2003] These convolutions are an evolutionary adaptation that allows a greater surface area to fit within the confined, and limited, space of the skull.[Martin, 2003] The elevated convolutions are called ‘gyri’, and the grooves are called ‘sulci’, as shown on the slide.[Martin, 2003]
Gustatory – relating to the sense of taste.
Olfactory – relating to the sense of smell.
Nuclei – in neuroanatomy, localised masses of grey matter in the CNS.
References:
Martin JH. Neuroanatomy Text and Atlas. 3rd edition. McGraw-Hill, 2003.
Price SA, Wilson LM. Pathophysiology: Clinical Concepts of Disease Processes. 6th edition. Mosby, 2003.
Tortora GJ, Derrickson B. Principles of Anatomy and Physiology. 12th edition. John Wiley & Sons, 2009.