ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the anatomy, connectivity, and biochemistry of the frontal cortex, the development of this area, what happens when the frontal cortex is damaged, and the proposed roles of the frontal cortex. It provides an illustration of the importance of connectivity with the rest of the brain for the frontal cortex, using attention control as an example. The frontal cortex includes the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the premotor areas. The frontal cortex oversees cognition, language, movement, memory, thinking, planning, and attention control. There are many connections within the frontal cortex itself, and between it and the other cortices and subcortical structures. A number of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators act within the frontal cortex. The development of the frontal cortex continues into early adulthood. The frontal cortex works in conjunction with many other areas of the brain in order to accomplish the behaviours that are associated with Homo sapiens.
