Functional Divisions of the Cerebral Cortex

The cerebral cortex is responsible for many "higher-order" functions like language and information processing. Language centers are usually found only in the left cerebral hemisphere.

Cortical Area Function

Prefrontal Cortex Problem Solving, Emotion, Complex Thought

Motor Association Cortex Coordination of complex movement
Primary Motor Cortex Initiation of voluntary movement

Primary Somatosensory Cortex Receives tactile information from the body

Sensory Association Area Processing of multisensory information

Visual Association Area Complex processing of visual information

Visual Cortex Detection of simple visual stimuli

Wernicke's Area Language comprehension

Auditory Association Area Complex processing of auditory information

Auditory Cortex Detection of sound quality (loudness, tone)

Speech Center
(Broca's Area) Speech production and articulation

Cortical Area	Function
Prefrontal Cortex	Problem Solving, Emotion, Complex Thought
Motor Association Cortex	Coordination of complex movement
Primary Motor Cortex	Initiation of voluntary movement
Primary Somatosensory Cortex	Receives tactile information from the body
Sensory Association Area	Processing of multisensory information
Visual Association Area	Complex processing of visual information
Visual Cortex	Detection of simple visual stimuli
Wernicke's Area	Language comprehension
Auditory Association Area	Complex processing of auditory information
Auditory Cortex	Detection of sound quality (loudness, tone)
Speech Center (Broca's Area)	Speech production and articulation

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