Phineas Gage Review

How was Phineas Gage's brain damaged?

• an explosion caused an iron to go through his brain and skull

• a brawl with coworkers caused damage to his brain

• he fell from a bridge

• a hereditary defect resulted in epilepsy

Why is Phineas Gage's story important to neuroscientists today?

• no other case of that type of brain damage has ever been seen

• it was the earliest recorded case of brain damage affecting personality

• doctors can compare Gage's brain scans to other patients

• it forced 19th century doctors to start doing autopsies

Compared to Gage's personality before the accident, after the accident Gage was:

• quiet and reserved

• unreasonable and impulsive

• prone to daydream long periods

• unable to remember events

How do neuroscientists today determine the exact damage done to Gage's brain?

• by viewing the autopsy reports of Dr. Harlow

• by scanning his preserved brain

• reading Gage's diary

• examining the damage done to the skull

After the initial accident, Gage almost died due to:

• excessive bleeding

• starvation

• infection

• surgery

Which part of the brain is associated with personality?

• frontal cortex

• occipital lobe

• zygomatic area

• orbital zone

Which statement is an inference?

• Gage's body was exhumed and his skull displayed

• Gage's personality was changed dramatically after the accident.

• The part of the brain damaged by the iron was the frontal lobe.

• Gage would have recovered fully had it not been for the infection.

What is an abscess?

• broken bone

• site of infection

• tumor

• section of brain that is damaged

What does exhume mean?

• display a body

• remove part of the brain

• drain an infection

• remove a body from a cemetery

After the accident, Gage is said to have vacillated. What does vacillate mean?

• not listen to advice

• curse frequently

• change his mind

• not finish projects