The human brain is one of the most complex and fascinating organs in the human body. It consists of four main lobes, each of them responsible for crucial functions that we use in our daily lives. One such lobe is the parietal lobe, located in the middle part of the brain. In this blog post, we will discuss what the parietal lobe is, its functions, and what happens when it’s damaged.
What is the Parietal Lobe?
The parietal lobe is one of the four main lobes of the brain, situated behind the frontal lobe and above the temporal lobe. It is involved in processing sensory information, which is then used to perceive, understand, and make sense of the world around us. The parietal lobe is divided into two halves, the left parietal lobe, and the right parietal lobe.
The left parietal lobe is responsible for processing language and numbers, as well as spatial sense and body orientation. It plays a vital role in coding and interpreting sensory information, allowing us to recognize objects and their positions in relation to ourselves.
The right parietal lobe, on the other hand, is responsible for processing sensory information related to visual, auditory, and somatosensory processing. It is responsible for our ability to perceive and understand spatial relationships, form mental maps, and navigate through our environment.
Functions of the Parietal Lobe
What are the functions of the right and left parietal lobes? As mentioned earlier, the parietal lobe is involved in sensory processing, perception, and interpretation of sensory information from the body and the environment. Specifically, the functions of the parietal lobe include:
Spatial Perception
The parietal lobe plays an essential role in perceiving the spatial relationships between objects. It helps us orient ourselves in space and understand the location and distance of objects around us. For example, the right parietal lobe enables us to know how far away from us a ball is, so we can accurately throw or catch it.
Body Orientation and Spatial Sense
The left parietal lobe controls the body’s orientation and spatial sense. It helps us recognize our body’s position in relation to our surroundings, allowing us to move and perform actions. It also helps us recognize objects and their position relative to ourselves, enabling us to navigate through our environment.
Sensory Integration
Another function of the parietal lobe is to integrate sensory information from the different sensory modalities, such as touch, sight, and sound. It processes sensory information seamlessly to generate a complete understanding of our surroundings.
Language and Numerical Processing
The left parietal lobe plays a vital role in language and numerical processing. It is responsible for reading, writing, and understanding language, as well as performing mathematical calculations.
Where is the Parietal Lobe and What Does it Do?
The parietal lobe is located between the frontal lobe and the occipital lobe. It is positioned on the top and back of the brain, behind the central sulcus (which separates the frontal and parietal lobes) and above the lateral sulcus (which separates the temporal lobe from the rest of the brain). It is responsible for processing sensory information and spatial awareness, among other functions.
Frontal Lobe Function
The frontal lobe is a brain region located in the front of the brain, responsible for cognitive processes such as concentration, planning, and decision-making. It also regulates the motor functions of the body, including speech production, and controls emotions. The frontal lobe works together with the parietal lobe to help us process and understand sensory information.
Temporal Lobe Function
The temporal lobe is located in the lower part of the brain, behind the temples, and is associated with processing auditory information, including language comprehension and perception of noises and sounds. It also plays a vital role in memory, specifically storing and retrieving long-term memories.
Occipital Lobe Function
The occipital lobe is located at the back of the brain, responsible for processing visual information from the eyes. It plays a vital role in recognizing text, faces, colors, and other visual stimuli. The occipital lobe also works together with the parietal lobe to make sense of the spatial relationships between objects.
What Happens When the Parietal Lobe is Damaged?
When the parietal lobe is damaged, it can result in various conditions, depending on the severity of the injury. The following are some of the conditions that can occur due to damage to the parietal lobe:
Apraxia
Apraxia is a motor disorder that occurs when the parietal lobe is damaged, affecting the ability to perform purposeful movements, even when the muscles are functional. The left parietal lobe controls the right side of the body, while the right parietal lobe controls the left side of the body. When damage occurs to either side, it can cause apraxia on the opposite side of the body.
Dyscalculia
Dyscalculia is a cognitive disorder that affects the ability to perform mathematical calculations. It can occur when the left parietal lobe, which is responsible for numerical processing, is damaged.
Hemispatial Neglect
Hemispatial neglect is a cognitive disorder that occurs when one side of the visual field is ignored or neglected. It can occur when the right parietal lobe is damaged, affecting the left side of the visual field. Patients with hemispatial neglect may not recognize objects or people on their neglected side, leading to difficulties in daily activities.
Object Agnosia
Object agnosia is a condition in which a person is unable to recognize objects visually, but they can recognize them by touch. The condition can occur when the parietal lobe on the dominant side of the brain is damaged.
In conclusion, the parietal lobe is an essential region of the brain that is involved in sensory processing, perception, and interpretation of sensory information from the body and the environment. The left parietal lobe controls body orientation, spatial sense, and language, while the right parietal lobe controls spatial perception and visual-spatial processing. Damage to the parietal lobe can result in various conditions, such as apraxia, dyscalculia, hemispatial neglect, and object agnosia. Understanding the functions of the parietal lobe is crucial in the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions.