The Anatomy of the Frontal Lobe
Medically reviewed by Smita Patel, DOMedically reviewed by Smita Patel, DOThe frontal lobe is the front portion of the brain and the largest of the four major lobes of the cerebral cortex. It controls thinking skills, reasoning, self-control, and motor function. A person has left and right frontal lobes.Dementia often involves gradually worsening damage to the frontal lobe of the brain, and many different neurological conditions can also affect the frontal lobe—including stroke, brain tumors, and head trauma.
Illustration by Julie Bang for Verywell Health
Development From Birth OnwardThe brain's frontal lobe starts to develop in utero (before birth). This area of the brain grows rapidly during early childhood. It continues to physically grow and improve skills throughout childhood and adolescence. Frontal lobe functions continue to be refined throughout adulthood.Frontal lobe development includes:Physical growth: The frontal lobe increases in size during the prenatal stage, infancy, childhood, and early adolescence. Before adulthood, the frontal lobe progressively gains function. The frontal lobe continues to develop skills even after it has reached its final size, which occurs between ages 12 and 18.Myelination: Insulation of neurons with myelin, a type of fat, begins in utero and continues throughout childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood. Myelin promotes healthy nerve function. In healthy adults, myelin is constantly being renewed.Neuronal pathways: Communication between neurons in the brain follows certain pathways that facilitate movement, memory, thinking, planning, and judgment. When you practice these tasks, the neural pathways involved in carrying out these tasks become stronger. Building neural pathways can continue throughout your lifetime.Frontal lobe development is guided by genetics and is also influenced by experiences and behaviors.
Male and Female Brains Some evidence suggests differences in the development of male and female brains. One of these differences is that the prefrontal cortex, a region of the frontal lobe, makes up a relatively higher proportion of female brain size when compared to males. These patterns represent trends rather than absolutes.A Note on Gender and Sex TerminologyVerywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are related concepts, but they are not the same. To accurately reflect our sources, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
Various FunctionsThe frontal lobe of the brain has many important functions that continue to improve as a person matures.Frontal lobe functions include:Abstract thinkingMaintaining social norms and expectationsMemoryMotor control of the opposite side of the bodyPlanningReasoningSelf-ControlThinkingMost of these skills incorporate coordination between the frontal lobe and other regions of the brain. For example, memory is mediated by the frontal lobe and the hippocampus, which is another region of the brain. Motor control is initiated by the frontal lobe, and the neural pathway travels through the internal capsule, cerebellum, brainstem, and spinal cord. Anatomy of Frontal Lobe: Parts to KnowThe frontal lobe, at the front of the brain, makes up about one-third of the cerebral cortex. The right and left frontal lobes are not physically connected to each other, but they can send messages to the other side through a large structure called the corpus callosum.Areas of the frontal lobe include:Inferior frontal gyrus: The bottom exterior portion of the frontal lobe manages social inhibition.Motor cortex: The back of the frontal lobe controls movement of the opposite side of the body.Prefrontal cortex: The area at the front tip of the frontal lobe involved with thinking and reasoning.Premotor cortex: The area anterior (in front of) to the motor cortex is where the brain plans motor action.Superior frontal gyrus: The top portion of the frontal lobe plays a large role in memory and reasoning.
The Frontal Lobe ParadoxSometimes, people who have damage to the frontal lobe experience significant difficulties with day-to-day life. Yet, they remain able to speak clearly and coherently during a medical evaluation in ways that seem more healthy than would be expected with the level of frontal lobe damage.This phenomenon is described as the frontal lobe paradox, and can sometimes make it challenging for healthcare providers to detect damage to the frontal lobe.
Conditions Associated With Frontal Lobe DamageMany neurological conditions can affect the frontal lobe of the brain. Some preferentially target the frontal lobe, while others can affect any area of the brain, including the frontal lobe. Diseases that primarily affect the frontal lobe include:Alzheimer’s diseaseFrontotemporal dementiaProgressive supranuclear palsyConditions that can affect the frontal lobe include:Brain TumorA tumor in the frontal lobe of the brain can cause many symptoms. These include weakness on one side of the body, headaches, personality changes, and impaired thinking.EncephalitisEncephalitis is a brain infection or inflammatory disorder that can affect the frontal lobe. It has the potential to cause a rapid worsening of symptoms such as seizures, personality changes, confusion, and loss of consciousness.Head TraumaRepeated head trauma or a sudden head injury affecting the frontal lobe can have several consequences. These include headaches, brain fog, and even personality changes.HypoxiaBrain damage due to oxygen deprivation can occur suddenly during conditions like a heart attack or sudden breathing emergency. This can damage any area of the brain, potentially with permanent effects.Hypoxic damage to the frontal lobe can cause learning deficits, weakness of one or both sides of the body, and seizures. Newborn hypoxia affects child development.Multiple Sclerosis (MS)This chronic neurological disorder causes the body’s immune system to attack myelin (a fatty substance that covers and protects nerve cells). It can affect any area of the brain or spinal cord, often with relapses and remissions or a chronic worsening of symptoms over time. When it affects the frontal lobe, MS can cause weakness, brain fog, and fatigue.StrokeA stroke is a blockage of a blood vessel leading to the brain or bleeding within the brain. A stroke in the frontal lobe of the brain can cause sudden symptoms, which can include personality changes, memory impairment, or weakness on one side of the body.
Learn More: Frontal Lobe Damage: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments
Scans and TestingDamage to the frontal lobe is diagnosed based on a combination of a physical examination and brain scans.A neurological assessment of the frontal lobe requires specialized testing of motor skills and cognitive skills. Brain scans, such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can often show areas of abnormalities or damage in the frontal lobe. Frontal lobe disorders that can be identified with brain imaging include:Brain tumorMultiple sclerosisStrokeDamage from hypoxia, head trauma, or encephalitis can sometimes be identified with brain imaging. Highly specialized brain imaging tests may detect changes in the frontal lobe that are associated with dementia.Ways to Support FunctioningThe best way to support your optimal frontal lobe function is by maintaining healthy lifestyle habits to prevent stroke or head injury, and to engage in activities that promote and build frontal lobe function.A key to engaging your frontal lobe is to continue to challenge yourself in positive ways. Activities that can help engage your frontal lobe include:Doing challenging puzzles, word games, or math gamesDoing things around the house, such as cooking, gardening, decorating, or cleaningEngaging in challenging physical exercise or sportsJoining a book clubLearning new skills and developing hobbiesPlaying interactive group gamesReading a variety of material, including nonfiction and fictionSocializing and interacting with a variety of people who are supportive, kind, and interestingStaying activeWhen possible, avoiding people who have toxic behaviorsWorking or volunteeringLifestyle habits that can help prevent frontal lobe damage include:Avoid head trauma by preventing falls and wearing a helmet when it’s recommended.Do not drink alcohol, or consume it only in moderation.Do not smoke.Do not use any recreational drugs.Lose and manage weight if you are overweight.Manage diabetes with diet and medication as necessary.Manage high blood pressure (hypertension) by taking prescribed medication and eating a low-salt diet, as necessary.Manage high cholesterol and triglyceride levels with medication and diet, as necessary.Medical TreatmentIf you or a loved one has experienced damage to the frontal lobe, there are treatment options. An accurate diagnosis will help guide treatment. Therapeutic interventions will include treatment for the cause of frontal lobe damage and rehabilitation to help improve skills.Examples of treatments for conditions affecting the frontal lobe include:A brain tumor may be removed surgically or treated with radiation.Dementia can be treated with medication that slows disease progression.Encephalitis may be treated with antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory medication.Head trauma may require surgical intervention.Multiple sclerosis is treated with disease-modifying therapy.Stroke may require treatment with medication that prevents blood clots.Rehabilitation after frontal lobe damage can include cognitive therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and social skills training.
Related: Overcoming Speech Impediment: Symptoms to Treatment
Summary The frontal lobe is a large area of the brain that controls many physical and cognitive functions. The frontal lobe coordinates with different regions of the brain to handle tasks. The frontal lobe begins to develop during the prenatal months, grows physically and gains function during childhood, and continues to adapt and learn throughout life.Many diseases and brain disorders affect the frontal lobe. You can maintain optimal frontal lobe function by engaging in challenging activities and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. If you or a loved one has experienced damage to the frontal lobe, there are many interventions that can help you improve and avoid further damage.
Related: Frontal Lobotomy and Medical Ethics
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