Novel Methods for the Visualization and Analysis of Functional Maps in Cortex

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