All parts of the brain › Networks › Central executive network

Where is the central executive network?

On the outer side of the frontal and parietal lobes, on both sides: mainly the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, in the middle frontal gyrus, and the posterior parietal cortex around the intraparietal sulcus, with the front of the inferior parietal lobule and the middle cingulate gyrus. [1]

Honest limit: networks are defined from brain imaging, and this atlas lights whole gyri, not the network’s exact borders. [2]

The 3D brain needs JavaScript. The list of parts still says what each one does for the central executive network.

Lit: whole parts; region borders not drawn.

Slice

All 5 parts are lit together. Drag to turn, pinch or scroll to zoom, tap a part on the brain or a name in the list to focus it; .

Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is a region on the middle frontal gyrus, not a separate shape. The 3D model has no shape for it, so the whole middle frontal gyrus is lit; the region’s exact border is not drawn.

Intraparietal sulcus is a region on the superior parietal lobule, not a separate shape. The 3D model has no shape for it, so the whole superior parietal lobule is lit; the region’s exact border is not drawn.

Middle cingulate gyrus is a region on the cingulate gyrus, not a separate shape. The 3D model has no shape for it, so the whole cingulate gyrus is lit; the region’s exact border is not drawn.

Central executive network: 5 parts lit

Middle frontal gyrus, prefrontal cortex, superior parietal lobule, supramarginal gyrus and cingulate gyrus. Tap one to see where it is and what it does.

The parts and their roles

Holds the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the network’s main frontal node: the network is made up mainly of the rostral lateral and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, especially the middle frontal gyrus. [1][3] Where is the middle frontal gyrus?
Its front outer (rostral lateral) stretch is the network’s other prefrontal core, in front of the dorsolateral part. [1] Where is the prefrontal cortex?
Its lower edge is the intraparietal sulcus, around which the network’s posterior parietal cortex lies; the dorsal precuneus, on the lobule’s inner face, is potentially part of the network too. [1][4] Where is the superior parietal lobule?
The front half of the inferior parietal lobule, just below the intraparietal sulcus: the network includes the anterior inferior parietal lobule. [1][5] Where is the supramarginal gyrus?
Holds the middle cingulate gyrus, one of the network’s additional regions on the inner face of the brain. [1] Where is the cingulate gyrus?

Named areas on the lit gyri

Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, on the : a functional area in the middle frontal gyrus (the lateral parts of Brodmann areas 9 and 46), not a separate structure; the network’s main frontal region. [3][1]
Intraparietal sulcus, on the : the groove on the outer parietal lobe with the superior parietal lobule above it and the inferior parietal lobule below; the network’s parietal cortex lies around it. [6][5][1]
Middle cingulate gyrus, on the : the middle stretch of the cingulate gyrus, between its front and rear parts, listed as an additional region of the network. [1]

How they work together

It is involved in executive function and goal-oriented, cognitively demanding tasks: rule-based problem solving, actively holding and manipulating information in working memory, and goal-directed decisions. [1]
It is one of the three networks of the so-called triple-network model, with the salience and default mode networks; the salience network is theorised to switch the brain between it and the default mode network. [1][7]
Depending on what a task demands, it splits into two subsystems: one couples with the default mode network for inward-directed thinking, the other with the dorsal attention network for attending to what you perceive. [1]
Its names vary: the executive control network, cognitive control network and multiple-demand system are versions of it, and in 2019 Uddin and colleagues proposed “lateral frontoparietal network” as the standard name. “Central executive network” has sometimes been used to take in the dorsal attention network too. [1][2]

One of its two subsystems couples with the dorsal attention network, the frontal eye fields and intraparietal sulcus that steer attention on purpose. [1] Where is the dorsal attention network?

The salience network is theorised to switch the brain between the central executive network and the default mode network. [7] Where is the salience network?

The default mode network is the third network of the triple-network model, busiest when attention turns inward. [1][8] Where is the default mode network?

Sources

Facts describe anatomy and normal function only. A part lit here takes part in the central executive network; it does not do it alone, and it does other jobs too. The 3D model is the adult male BodyParts3D brain (credits and licence); on it the brainstem includes the midbrain, pons and medulla, so lighting the brainstem lights all three.