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Anatomy and Physiology
6
bodies of neurons, dendrites, some axons, and blood vessels. It can be subdivided into two
hemispheres [Teo, et al., 1997 #8]. The interhemispheric fissure separates the right and left
cerebral hemispheres. Axons from cortical neurons connect the cerebral hemispheres. These
axons travel through the corpus callosum [Gazzaniga, et al., 1998 #9].
Each hemisphere consists of layers of neurons, i.e., sheets of neurons. The cerebral cortex
covers the cerebral hemispheres. Its thickness varies from 1.5 mm to 4.5 mm and has 3 to 6
horizontal cell layers [Bruni, #11]. In humans, the cortex contains many convolutions. A ridge
that is visible from the outside of the cortex (crown) is called gyrus, a shallow furrow (infold-
ing) sulcus [Wandell, 1995 #12]. The cortex is folded so that more cortical surface can be
packed into the skull.
The term gray matter is used for neural tissue especially of the brain and spinal cord that
contains a high density of nerve cell bodies and has a brownish gray color (compare with [-,
2001 #13]). The outer surface of cortex is made up out of gray matter. The internal regions
Motor
Somatosensory
Frontal Lobe
Occipital Lobe
Parietal Lobe
Temporal Lobe
Cerebellum
Auditory
Visual
Figure 1: Lobes of the human cerebral cortex and some of their functions
Compare with [Kalat, 1996 #10] and the glossary
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