Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnatomyFunctionAssociated ConditionsTestsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Anatomy
Function
Associated Conditions
Tests
Frequently Asked Questions
The prefrontal cortex is an important part of your brain. It is at the front of the frontal lobe, which is immediately behind the forehead. It affects your behavior, personality, and ability to plan. This article will explain more about the anatomy, location, and function of the prefrontal cortex.
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The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is connected to many other parts of the brain and is able to send and receive information. The prefrontal cortex is divided into these two parts:
The prefrontal cortex is involved in many brain functions. One of the most important isexecutive function, or the ability to self-regulate and plan ahead. Examples of executive function include:
Damage to the prefrontal cortex can happen from:
When the prefrontal cortex is damaged, it may cause the following conditions:
If you have damage to the prefrontal cortex or another condition that is affecting it, your healthcare provider may start with a physical exam and a mental status exam. These tests will help them evaluate your thinking and rule out other conditions.
To check your brain, a healthcare provider may order the following tests:
Summary
The prefrontal cortex is found in front of thefrontal lobeof the brain. It affects your behavior, personality, and executive function. When the prefrontal cortex is damaged, it can cause changes to how you think and behave.
It is important to remember that you may not always notice changes in your behavior or thinking. Your friends and loved ones are more likely to point out that something is wrong.
Even if you think everything is fine, it is worth having a conversation with your healthcare provider and checking on your brain health. It is better to catch problems earlier and get treatment.
Yes, the prefrontal cortex grows as a person matures from childhood to early adulthood. It is one of the last parts of the brain to develop completely.
A person may lose executive function if the prefrontal cortex is damaged. They may still be able to do some tasks and even work, but they will have trouble planning and controlling their behavior.
Yes, it is possible for a person to survive without a prefrontal cortex. However, not having this portion of the brain will have an enormous impact on their ability to reason, plan ahead, control behavior, and solve problems. A person’s ability to have social relationships would also be affected severely.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Grossmann T.The role of medial prefrontal cortex in early social cognition.Front Hum Neurosci. 2013;7:340. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2013.00340Arain M, Haque M, Johal L, et al.Maturation of the adolescent brain.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2013;9:449-461. doi:10.2147/NDT.S39776Teles RV.Phineas Gage’s great legacy.Dement Neuropsychol. 2020;14(4):419-421. doi:10.1590/1980-57642020dn14-040013Barrash J, Bruss J, Anderson SW, et al.Lesions in different prefrontal sectors are associated with different types of acquired personality disturbances.Cortex.2022;147:169-184. doi:10.1016/j.cortex.2021.12.004
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Grossmann T.The role of medial prefrontal cortex in early social cognition.Front Hum Neurosci. 2013;7:340. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2013.00340Arain M, Haque M, Johal L, et al.Maturation of the adolescent brain.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2013;9:449-461. doi:10.2147/NDT.S39776Teles RV.Phineas Gage’s great legacy.Dement Neuropsychol. 2020;14(4):419-421. doi:10.1590/1980-57642020dn14-040013Barrash J, Bruss J, Anderson SW, et al.Lesions in different prefrontal sectors are associated with different types of acquired personality disturbances.Cortex.2022;147:169-184. doi:10.1016/j.cortex.2021.12.004
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Grossmann T.The role of medial prefrontal cortex in early social cognition.Front Hum Neurosci. 2013;7:340. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2013.00340Arain M, Haque M, Johal L, et al.Maturation of the adolescent brain.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2013;9:449-461. doi:10.2147/NDT.S39776Teles RV.Phineas Gage’s great legacy.Dement Neuropsychol. 2020;14(4):419-421. doi:10.1590/1980-57642020dn14-040013Barrash J, Bruss J, Anderson SW, et al.Lesions in different prefrontal sectors are associated with different types of acquired personality disturbances.Cortex.2022;147:169-184. doi:10.1016/j.cortex.2021.12.004
Grossmann T.The role of medial prefrontal cortex in early social cognition.Front Hum Neurosci. 2013;7:340. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2013.00340
Arain M, Haque M, Johal L, et al.Maturation of the adolescent brain.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2013;9:449-461. doi:10.2147/NDT.S39776
Teles RV.Phineas Gage’s great legacy.Dement Neuropsychol. 2020;14(4):419-421. doi:10.1590/1980-57642020dn14-040013
Barrash J, Bruss J, Anderson SW, et al.Lesions in different prefrontal sectors are associated with different types of acquired personality disturbances.Cortex.2022;147:169-184. doi:10.1016/j.cortex.2021.12.004
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