Localisation of Function in the Brain: Foundations and Structure
This page introduces the concept of localisation of function in the brain and contrasts it with the holistic theory. It details the structure of the brain, including hemispheres and lobes, and explains the principle of lateralisation.
The foundation of localisation theory is attributed to Broca and Wernicke's discoveries, which challenged the prevailing holistic theory. The brain's structure is described as divided into left and right hemispheres, each controlling the opposite side of the body. The concept of lateralisation is introduced, highlighting that some functions are controlled by specific hemispheres.
The page further elaborates on the brain's four lobes - frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal - and their associated functions. It specifically mentions the motor area, somatosensory area, visual cortex, and auditory areas.
Definition: Lateralisation refers to the specialization of function in a particular hemisphere of the brain.
Vocabulary: Somatosensory area is the region of the brain responsible for processing sensory information from the skin and body.
The text then focuses on the language centers of the brain, typically located in the left hemisphere. It introduces Broca's area in the left frontal lobe, responsible for speech production, and Wernicke's area in the left temporal lobe, responsible for language understanding.
Highlight: The language centers, Broca's area and Wernicke's area, play crucial roles in speech production and language comprehension respectively.
The page concludes with an evaluation section, presenting evidence supporting the localisation of function in the brain. It mentions findings from neurosurgery, where damage to specific brain areas has been linked to particular deficits. The text also notes that some mental disorders are treated with targeted neurosurgery, with successful outcomes suggesting localisation of certain behaviors.
Example: Brain scans have shown Wernicke's area activating during listening tasks and Broca's area during reading tasks, supporting the localisation theory.
