lobesfrontal

The frontal lobes are a pair of brain regions located at the front of the cerebral cortex, spanning from the superior to inferior aspects of the frontal bone, anterior to the central sulcus and extending to the frontal pole. They are among the largest brain regions and contain several functional subdivisions, including the primary motor cortex in the precentral gyrus, the premotor and supplementary motor areas, the prefrontal cortex, the orbitofrontal cortex, and the frontal eye fields. The inferior frontal gyrus houses Broca's area in the dominant hemisphere, typically involved in language production.

Functions: The primary motor cortex initiates voluntary movements; premotor and supplementary motor areas help plan and coordinate movements. The prefrontal cortex supports higher-order executive functions such as planning, working memory, decision-making, impulse control, and complex problem solving. The orbitofrontal cortex is involved in evaluating reward and punishment and in social and emotional behavior. The frontal eye fields control voluntary gaze shifts.

Development and plasticity: Frontal regions mature late, with continued development into young adulthood; they show substantial plasticity after injury, enabling functional recovery through adaptation of remaining networks.

Clinical relevance: Lesions in the frontal lobes can cause a range of effects from motor weakness to changes in personality and behavior, known as frontal lobe syndrome. Left inferior frontal damage can impair language production (Broca’s aphasia). Tumors, strokes, or traumatic brain injuries in this region can affect executive function, motor control, language, or social behavior. Neuroimaging and neurosurgical planning frequently target frontal regions due to their diverse roles.