The prefrontal cortex is located in the frontal lobes of the brain in front of the motor and pre-motor areas. It is involved in planning complex cognitive behaviors, personality expression, decision making, and moderating social behavior by orchestrating thoughts and actions to internal goals. Executive functions carried out by the prefrontal cortex include differentiating between conflicting thoughts, determining good versus bad options, working towards goals, predicting outcomes, and suppressing urges leading to socially unacceptable behavior. Broca's area, located in the inferior frontal gyrus, is involved in speech and language production.

1. The Prefrontal CortexMajor functions and substructures

2. LocationThe prefrontal cortex (PFC) is the anterior part of the frontal lobes of the brain, lying in front of the motor and pre-motor areas.

3. FunctionsThis brain region has been implicated in planning complex cognitive behaviors, personality expression, decision making and moderating correct social behavior.The basic activity of this brain region is considered to be orchestration of thoughts and actions in accordance with internal goals.

4. Executive FunctioningThe most typical psychological term for functions carried out by the prefrontal cortex area is executive function. Executive function relates to abilities to differentiate among conflicting thoughts, determine good and bad, better and best, same and different, future consequences of current activities, working toward a defined goal, prediction of outcomes, expectation based on actions, and social "control" (the ability to suppress urges that, if not suppressed, could lead to socially-unacceptable outcomes).Remember Phineus Gage!

5. Major SubstructuresSuperior Frontal Gyrus – involved in self awarenessInferior Frontal Gyrus – involved in go/no go tasks and risk aversion

6. Broca’s Area– involved in speech and language productionFollow up QuestionSpeculate as to the relationship between the location of Broca’s Area and it’s function.Clue: Which two primary cortices is it adjacent to?