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1. Glossary

Primary motor cortex

An area of the frontal lobe in the anterior wall of the central sulcus. It is considered to be the higher-level control unit responsible for voluntary and fine motor skills. This is where the cell bodies of the central motor neurons are located, whose axons primarily extend to the spinal cord (via the corticospinal tract). Only in the primary motor cortex do Betz giant cells occur, which are particularly large motor neurons whose axons extend directly to the motor neurons in the anterior horn of the spinal cord without prior synaptic switching.

1. Glossary

Cerebellar cortex

The cortex of the cerebellum, which, like that of the cerebrum, is composed of gray matter, or nerve cells. It consists of three layers and is highly folded, creating what are known as foliae, or leaves.

1. Glossary

Primary auditory cortex

The first processing station in the cerebral cortex for auditory information. The primary auditory cortex is located in the Heschl's gyrus and receives inputs from the medial geniculate nucleus of the thalamus. It is organized tonotopically – its neurons are arranged continuously according to frequency.

1. Glossary

Premotor cortex

Part of the motor cortex in the frontal lobe. It is connected to the primary motor cortex and numerous other brain regions and is involved in the planning, preparation, and coordination of complex, voluntary movements. Examples of its functions include reaching for an object or the sequence of movements involved in targeted actions.

1. Glossary

Frontal lobe

The frontal cortex is the largest of the four lobes of the cerebral cortex and its functions are correspondingly comprehensive. The front area, known as the prefrontal cortex, is responsible for complex action planning (known as executive functions), which also shapes our personality. Its development (myelination) takes up to 30 years and even then is not yet complete. Other important components of the frontal cortex are Broca's area, which controls our ability to express ourselves linguistically, and the primary motor cortex, which sends movement impulses throughout the body.

1. Glossary

Limbic cortex

The limbic cortex primarily comprises the cingulate gyrus and adjacent structures such as the entorhinal cortex. It is part of the limbic system, which also includes regions such as the hippocampus and the amygdala. The limbic system plays a central role in processing emotions, motivation, and instinctive behavior.

1. Glossary

Auditory cortex

The auditory cortex is a part of the temporal lobe that is involved in processing acoustic signals. It is divided into the primary and secondary auditory cortex.

1. Discover
2. Milestones

John O’Keefe and the Moser Couple: Place Cells

The discoverers of orientation cells was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2014.

31.10.2014

1. Basics
2. Anatomy

The Amygdala

Without the amygdala, humans lose their sense of fear. With the amygdala, they also recognize the fear of others.

22.12.2023

1. Basics
2. Anatomy

The Striatum

The striatum is not only about complex motor skills, but also about happiness.

28.11.2025