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Parietal Lobe · Structure

Precuneus

The quiet hub of self-reflection.

Hidden on the inner surface of the parietal lobe, the precuneus is one of the busiest areas of the resting brain. It's active when you daydream, remember your own past, or picture yourself somewhere else.

What it does

  • Autobiographical memory retrieval
  • Mental imagery and perspective-taking
  • Part of the default-mode network

In the real world

Measuring consciousness

Precuneus activity is one of the strongest markers doctors use to tell whether an unresponsive patient is truly unconscious or covertly aware.