Amnesia caused by head trauma affects which region of the brain?

• A. Cerebral cortex
• B. Cerebellum
• C. Medulla oblongata
• D. Spinal cord

Answer: (A)

Memory formation and recall depend on brain regions in the cerebral cortex, particularly the temporal lobe and its memory-related structures like the hippocampus. When head trauma damages these areas, the circuits that encode and retrieve memories can be disrupted, leading to amnesia. The other regions have different primary roles—cerebellum coordinates movement, balance, and fine motor control; the medulla oblongata manages essential autonomic functions like breathing and heart rate; the spinal cord carries signals between the brain and body—so they’re not the main sites tied to memory loss. Thus, injuries affecting the cerebral cortex and nearby memory networks are most associated with amnesia.