Association Cortex

Regions of the cerebral cortex that are not directly involved in primary sensory or motor functions, but are crucial for higher-level cognitive processes such as language, memory, reasoning, and planning.

Key Functions:

• Integrates information from multiple sensory modalities.
• Supports complex cognitive functions (e.g., language, problem-solving, abstract thought).
• Involved in attention, perception, and memory.
• Includes vast areas of the frontal, parietal, and temporal lobes.

Interacting Systems & Components:

• Cerebral Cortex (subdivisions of)
• Frontal Cortex (prefrontal cortex)
• Parietal Cortex
• Temporal Cortex
• Thalamus (receives input from)
• Cognition, Language, Memory (essential for)