frontal lobe

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frontal lobe

anatomy

Also known as: frontal cortex

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Last updated

June 26, 2026

Quick Summary

The frontal lobe is the anterior division of each cerebral hemisphere. It is the largest of the cerebral lobes and is located in front of the central sulcus. The frontal lobe is considered the brain's "executive" control center, managing cognitive functions. Damage to this area can lead to a "dysexecutive syndrome," affecting a person's ability to initiate tasks, control impulses, plan, problem-solve, and think creatively. Individuals with frontal lobe damage may also experience irritability and personality changes.123

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human nervous system
Executive functions of the frontal lobes
The frontal lobes are the part of the brain most remote from sensory input and whose functions are the most difficult to capture. They can be thought of as the executive that controls and directs the operation of brain systems dealing with cognitive…
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The frontal lobes are the part of the brain most remote from sensory input and whose functions are the most difficult to capture. They can be thought of as the executive that controls and directs the operation of brain systems dealing with cognitive…
Read More

autism
Neurodevelopmental features
…neuronal connections extending from the frontal lobe to other brain regions. Deficits in neuronal communication and in the strength of neuronal connections between the frontal lobe and other areas of the brain were detected with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Structural and functional differences in the frontal lobe of autistic…
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…neuronal connections extending from the frontal lobe to other brain regions. Deficits in neuronal communication and in the strength of neuronal connections between the frontal lobe and other areas of the brain were detected with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Structural and functional differences in the frontal lobe of autistic…
Read More

nervous system disease
Cerebral hemispheres
The frontal lobe, which lies rostral to the central sulcus, is involved with many of the components of intelligence (foresight, planning, and comprehension), with mood, with motor activity on the opposite side of the body, and (in the case of the dominant hemisphere) with speech production.…
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The frontal lobe, which lies rostral to the central sulcus, is involved with many of the components of intelligence (foresight, planning, and comprehension), with mood, with motor activity on the opposite side of the body, and (in the case of the dominant hemisphere) with speech production.…
Read More

human nervous system
Lobes of the cerebral cortex
The frontal lobe, the largest of the cerebral lobes, lies rostral to the central sulcus (that is, toward the nose from the sulcus). One important structure in the frontal lobe is the precentral gyrus, which constitutes the primary motor region of the brain. When parts of…
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The frontal lobe, the largest of the cerebral lobes, lies rostral to the central sulcus (that is, toward the nose from the sulcus). One important structure in the frontal lobe is the precentral gyrus, which constitutes the primary motor region of the brain. When parts of…
Read More