frontal lobe
Brain's executive suite
The frontal lobe is the largest section of the brain, located behind the forehead.
It controls executive functions—planning, decision-making, impulse control, and voluntary movement.
Damage to the frontal lobe can alter personality and judgment.
The frontal lobe doesn't fully mature until the mid-twenties, which helps explain adolescent risk-taking.
Arranging for future events
- decision-makingProcess of choosing actions
- reasoningDrawing logical conclusions
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
- problem-solvingAddressing challenges methodically
working memory · attention · impulse control · goal-setting · prioritizing · mental flexibility · sequencing · abstract thinking
Mental check on behavior
- self-controlAbility to restrain impulses
- social behaviorActions within groups
- disinhibitionReduced behavioral restraint
- conductManner of behaving
risk assessment · delayed gratification · emotional regulation · personality change · apathy · perseveration · confabulation
Brain region controlling movement
- ventromedialToward front-center of body
- gyrusCerebral cortex ridge
- sulcusGroove in tissue
- cerebral cortexBrain's outer neural sheet
neocortex · gray matter · white matter · cerebrum · neuroimaging · brain lesion
Brain damage from external force
- strokeSudden brain blood blockage
- dementiaChronic cognitive impairment
- ADHDNeurodevelopmental focus impairment
- schizophreniaPsychotic disorder with delusions
depression · tumor · lesion · degeneration · cognitive impairment · executive dysfunction · concussion · rehabilitation
Inborn behavioral nature
- self-awarenessInsight into one's psyche
- identityWho someone is
- emotional expressionConveying feelings outwardly
- motivationImpetus toward a goal
initiative · empathy · theory of mind · insight · affect · mood regulation · interpersonal skills
Self-initiated bodily action
- coordinationOrganized cooperative movement
- fine motor skillsSmall muscle control ability
- muscle controlVoluntary movement regulation
- apraxiaVoluntary movement execution deficit
paralysis · hemiplegia · homunculus · gait · hand control · facial expression · articulation
planning
Arranging for future events
- decision-makingProcess of choosing actions
- reasoningDrawing logical conclusions
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
problem-solving · working memory · attention · impulse control · goal-setting · prioritizing · mental flexibility · sequencing · abstract thinking · organization
inhibition
Mental check on behavior
- self-controlAbility to restrain impulses
- social behaviorActions within groups
- disinhibitionReduced behavioral restraint
conduct · risk assessment · delayed gratification · emotional regulation · personality change · apathy · perseveration · confabulation
motor cortex
Brain region controlling movement
- ventromedialToward front-center of body
- gyrusCerebral cortex ridge
- sulcusGroove in tissue
cerebral cortex · neocortex · gray matter · white matter · cerebrum · neuroimaging · brain lesion
traumatic brain injury
Brain damage from external force
- strokeSudden brain blood blockage
- dementiaChronic cognitive impairment
- ADHDNeurodevelopmental focus impairment
schizophrenia · depression · tumor · lesion · degeneration · cognitive impairment · executive dysfunction · concussion · rehabilitation
temperament
Inborn behavioral nature
- self-awarenessInsight into one's psyche
- identityWho someone is
- emotional expressionConveying feelings outwardly
motivation · initiative · empathy · theory of mind · insight · affect · mood regulation · interpersonal skills
voluntary movement
Self-initiated bodily action
- coordinationOrganized cooperative movement
- fine motor skillsSmall muscle control ability
- muscle controlVoluntary movement regulation
apraxia · paralysis · hemiplegia · homunculus · gait · hand control · facial expression · articulation
- body partsarm, leg, hand, back, chest
- braincerebrum, cerebellum, cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus
- brain anatomybrain, cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem, cortex
- brain sciencebrain scan, brain research, brain map, brain imaging, brain chemistry
- nervous systembrain, neurons, nerves, spinal cord, axon
- neuroanatomybrain, cerebellum, cerebral cortex, thalamus, hypothalamus
frontal lobeoccipital lobe
Posterior brain vision area
parietal lobe · temporal lobe · hindbrain · visual cortex · cerebellum
forefront, frontal, lobe, frontage, lobes, frontages, lobular, frontally, prefrontal