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Related Concept Videos

Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex01:14

Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex

The cerebral cortex, the brain's outermost layer, is pivotal in processing complex cognitive tasks, emotions, and various sensory inputs and executing voluntary motor activities. This intricate structure is divided into three primary functional areas: the motor areas, sensory areas, and association areas.
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex.
Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex01:23

Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex

The somatosensory cortex in the parietal lobes is crucial for interpreting sensory data such as touch, temperature, and proprioception. The somatosensory cortex, situated in the parietal lobes, plays a vital role in interpreting sensory information like touch, temperature, and proprioception—awareness of body position. This specialized brain region features an organized structure wherein neurons at the top primarily process sensations originating from the lower body. In contrast, those at the...
Association Areas of the Cortex01:21

Association Areas of the Cortex

Association areas are regions of the cerebral cortex that do not have a specific sensory or motor function. Instead, they integrate and interpret information from various sources to enable higher cognitive processes such as memory, learning, and decision-making. Some key association areas include the following:
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
Larynx01:21

Larynx

The human larynx, often referred to as the voice box, is an intricate organ located in the neck. It serves as a pathway for air to enter the lungs during respiration and is an essential component of voice production.
Anatomy of the Larynx
The larynx consists of various components, including cartilage, muscles, and vocal cords. Its structure includes three large unpaired cartilages—the thyroid, cricoid, and epiglottis—and three smaller paired cartilages—the arytenoids, corniculates, and...
Higher Mental Functions of the Brain: Language01:10

Higher Mental Functions of the Brain: Language

Language is a system of communication that allows the expression of thoughts, ideas, and feelings. The brain processes language in both hemispheres.
Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...
Lobes of the Cerebrum01:22

Lobes of the Cerebrum

The cerebral cortex, a critical structure of the brain, is intricately divided into two hemispheres, each consisting of four distinct lobes: occipital, temporal, frontal, and parietal. These lobes function cooperatively to regulate various cognitive and sensory functions, forming the basis of our complex neural capabilities.
Frontal lobe
The frontal lobes, located behind the forehead, are the command center of our brain, controlling personality, intelligence, and voluntary muscle movements.

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An Implantable System For Chronic In Vivo Electromyography
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A larynx area in the human motor cortex.

Steven Brown1, Elton Ngan, Mario Liotti

  • 1Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5A 1S6. stebro@sfu.ca

Cerebral Cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991)
|July 27, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Researchers identified a specific human motor cortex area controlling laryngeal muscles using functional MRI. This principal vocal center

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Motor Cortex Research
  • Vocalization Studies

Background:

  • The human motor cortex map lacks representation for intrinsic laryngeal muscles.
  • Previous localization attempts for this area have not utilized neuroimaging techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To localize the area controlling intrinsic laryngeal muscles using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
  • To establish the somatotopic context of this laryngeal motor area.
  • To identify the principal vocal center in the human motor cortex.

Main Methods:

  • Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was employed.
  • Participants performed oral tasks including vowel vocalization, lip, and tongue movements.
  • Novel inclusion of 'glottal stops' (forced glottis closure without vocalization) in a neuroimaging study.

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Stimulating the Lip Motor Cortex with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
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Minimally Invasive Murine Laryngoscopy for Close-Up Imaging of Laryngeal Motion During Breathing and Swallowing
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Minimally Invasive Murine Laryngoscopy for Close-Up Imaging of Laryngeal Motion During Breathing and Swallowing

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Main Results:

  • A larynx-specific area in the motor cortex was identified.
  • This area showed comparable activation during both vocal and non-vocal laryngeal tasks.
  • The identified human larynx area's location differs significantly from that reported in monkeys.

Conclusions:

  • The study identified a principal vocal center in the human motor cortex controlling laryngeal muscles.
  • This area is activated by both vocal and non-vocal laryngeal tasks.
  • The distinct location in humans compared to monkeys has implications for the evolution of human vocal communication.