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Related Concept Videos

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...
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.
Cerebrum: Anatomical Overview II01:11

Cerebrum: Anatomical Overview II

Each cerebral hemisphere can be divided into three main regions. The outermost region, the cerebral cortex, is a thin layer (2 to 4 millimeters thick) made up of gray matter, consisting of neuron cell bodies, dendrites, glial cells, and blood vessels. The middle region, or white matter, is primarily composed of myelinated nerve fibers organized into three types of large tracts: association fibers, commissures, and projection fibers. Association fibers connect different areas within the same...
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,...
Cerebral Hemispheres01:05

Cerebral Hemispheres

The human brain, a complex organ, is functionally divided into two cerebral hemispheres—left and right. These hemispheres are interconnected by a structure of paramount importance, the corpus callosum. This substantial bundle of neural fibers is not just a bridge between the hemispheres but a crucial element for the brain's comprehensive functioning. It enables efficient communication between the two hemispheres, allowing each side of the brain to control and receive sensory and motor...
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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Large-scale Three-dimensional Imaging of Cellular Organization in the Mouse Neocortex
09:55

Large-scale Three-dimensional Imaging of Cellular Organization in the Mouse Neocortex

Published on: September 5, 2018

Mapping the matrix: the ways of neocortex.

Rodney J Douglas1, Kevan A C Martin

  • 1Institute of Neuroinformatics, UZH/ETH, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland. rjd@ini.phys.ethz.ch

Neuron
|October 30, 2007
PubMed
Summary

The neocortex, responsible for complex behaviors and consciousness, may function based on a repeated "canonical circuit." This review explores historical quests and proposes "just-enough" and "just-in-time" computational principles governing cortical function.

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Last Updated: Jul 10, 2026

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Computational Neuroscience

Background:

  • The neocortex, comprising 85% of the human brain, enables complex behaviors and consciousness.
  • Despite its importance, detailed knowledge of neocortical circuits and their function remains limited.
  • A long-standing hypothesis suggests the neocortex is composed of repeating fundamental circuits, termed the

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review historical efforts in identifying the neocortex's fundamental

Main Methods:

  • Historical review of research on neocortical circuit structure and function.
  • Analysis of proposed

Main Results:

  • The search for a single

Conclusions:

  • Neocortical structure and function appear to adhere to two core computational principles: "just-enough" and "just-in-time".
  • These principles offer a framework for understanding the efficiency and adaptability of neocortical processing.