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- Glossary
Heschl's gyrus
Heschl's gyrus is an area in the temporal lobe that was first described by Richard Heschl in 1855. It is the seat of the primary auditory cortex, i.e., the hearing center in the cerebral cortex.
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- Glossary
Allocortex
A phylogenetically ancient region of the cortex (cerebral cortex) which, unlike the isocortex (also called neocortex), has fewer than six cell layers – in the hippocampus, for example, only three. The allocortex is divided into the paleocortex and archicortex, as well as the periallocortex, which is a transitional form between the allocortex and isocortex.
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- Glossary
Stress hormone system
During the stress response, the sympathetic nervous system and a number of hormone glands – the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal cortex – work together to prepare the body for increased demands. The sympathetic nervous system uses the hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline as messenger substances. Their activity increases breathing and heart rate while improving blood flow to the muscles. During the stress response, the adrenal cortex releases the hormone cortisol. It acts via negative feedback on the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, thereby slowing down further cortisol release. When the stressor subsides and the sympathetic tone decreases, the parasympathetic nervous system can regain the upper hand and bring the organism into a state of rest.
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- Basics
- Anatomy
The Limbic System
The limbic system does not solely control our emotional life. It also has other functions.
22.12.2023
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- Glossary
Dorsal thalamus
The thalamus is the largest structure in the diencephalon and is located above the hypothalamus. The thalamus is considered the "gateway to consciousness" because its nuclei are the transit station for all information to the cortex (cerebral cortex) – except for olfactory information, which first reaches the olfactory areas of the brain directly. At the same time, they also receive massive cortical inputs so it might be better to regard this a thalami-cortical system. The nuclei of the thalamus are grouped together. The term "gateway to consciousness" also refers to attention control, sleep-wake regulation, and consciousness modulation by the intralaminar nuclei.
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- Glossary
Fissure
The strong folding of the cortex (cerebral cortex) creates fissures – from the Latin: cleft. These clefts can be used to describe individual brain structures. For example, the fissura sylvii separates the temporal lobe from the frontal lobe. Less deep clefts are often referred to as sulci.
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- Basics
- The Developing Brain
How Thinking develops
Rapid development: how the brain and mind develop in early childhood
18.03.2026
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- Basics
- Anatomy
The Temporal Lobe
The lateral lobe of the cortex is responsible for tasks such as hearing, speaking, memory – and several others.
28.11.2025
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- Basics
- Anatomy
The Medulla Oblongata
Fibers and nuclei – and important nuclei at that. The medulla oblongata is where the brain begins.
01.10.2025
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- Basics
- Anatomy
The Corpora Mamillaria
Mammillary bodies located between the cerebral peduncles – play an important role in memory formation.
28.11.2025
