Localisation of function in the brain

Localisation of function in the brain

Localisation vs holistic theory

• Holistic- old view that all parts of the brain are involved with processing thought and action
• Localisation- specific areas of the brain are associated with particular physiological functions. If an area becomes damaged through illness/ trauma, the function associated with this area will also be affected

Hemispheres of the brain

• Lateralisation- the two halves of the brain are functionally different and each hemisphere has functional specialisations
• The Right hemisphere controls the left side of the body
• The Left hemisphere controls the right side of the body
• The cortex of both hemispheres is split into 4 lobes, each one associated with a different function

The motor, somatosensory, visual and auditory centres

• The motor area 
  • Found in the frontal lobe
  • Controls voluntary movement
  • Damage to this area results in loss of control over fine motor movements
• Somatosensory area
  • Found in parietal lobe
  • Sensory info from skin receptors received here
  • Damage to this area results in the inability to identify objects through touch
• Visual area
  • Found in the occipital lobe
  • Each eye sends info to the opposite side
  • Damage to one side results in blindness in the opposite eye
• Auditory area
  • …