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Ch. 12 The Central Nervous System
Chapter 12, Problem 12.6a

The central sulcus separates the:


a. parietal and temporal lobes.
b. parietal and occipital lobes.
c. frontal and temporal lobes.
d. frontal and parietal lobes.

Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the location of the central sulcus on the brain. The central sulcus is a prominent landmark on the lateral surface of the cerebral cortex.
Understand the orientation of the central sulcus. It runs roughly from the top of the brain down to the sides, separating two major lobes.
Review the positions of the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes in relation to each other. The frontal lobe is located at the front, the parietal lobe at the top middle, the temporal lobe at the bottom middle, and the occipital lobe at the back of the brain.
Determine which lobes are directly adjacent to the central sulcus. The central sulcus does not extend to the temporal or occipital lobes.
Conclude which lobes are separated by the central sulcus based on their adjacency and the orientation of the sulcus.

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Central Sulcus

The central sulcus is a prominent groove in the brain that separates the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe. It plays a crucial role in demarcating areas responsible for motor and sensory functions, making it a key landmark in neuroanatomy.
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Frontal Lobe

The frontal lobe is located at the front of the brain and is associated with higher cognitive functions such as reasoning, planning, and voluntary movement. It is also involved in personality and emotional regulation, making it essential for complex behaviors.
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Parietal Lobe

The parietal lobe is situated behind the frontal lobe and is primarily responsible for processing sensory information from the body, including touch, temperature, and pain. It integrates sensory input to form a coherent picture of the environment, crucial for spatial awareness.
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