The brain is divided into areas which are each responsible for different areas of functioning. Show
The brain can be divided into three basic units: the forebrain, the midbrain and the hindbrain. These areas are: Occipital lobe, Temporal lobe, Parietal lobe, Frontal lobe. The image below indicates where the areas are. Occipital lobe: This is found in the back of the brain. The area is involved with the brain's ability to recognise objects. It is responsible for our vision. Temporal lobe: The temporal lobes are found on either side of the brain and just above the ears. The temporal lobes are responsible for hearing, memory, meaning, and language. They also play a role in emotion and learning. The temporal lobes are concerned with interpreting and processing auditory stimuli. Parietal lobe: The parietal lobes are found behind the frontal lobes, above the temporal lobes, and at the top back of the brain. They are connected with the processing of nerve impulses related to the senses, such as touch, pain, taste, pressure, and temperature. They also have language functions. Frontal lobe:It is concerned with emotions, reasoning, planning, movement, and parts of speech. It is also involved in purposeful acts such as creativity, judgment, and problem solving, and planning Cerebral cortex: The cerebral cortex controls your thinking, voluntary movements, language, reasoning, and perception. In higher mammals the cortex looks like it has lots of wrinkles, grooves and bumps. Cerebellum: controls your movement, balance, posture, and coordination. New research has also linked it to thinking, novelty, and emotions. The limbic system, often referred to as the "emotional brain", is found buried within the cerebrum. Hypothalamus: controls your body temperature, emotions, hunger, thirst, appetite, digestion and sleep. The hypothalamus is composed of several different areas and is located at the base of the brain. It is only the size of a pea (about 1/300 of the total brain weight), but is responsible for some very important behaviours. Thalamus: controls your sensory integration and motor integration. Receives sensory information and relays it to the cerebral cortex. The cerebral cortex also sends information to the thalamus which then transmits this information to other parts of the brain and the brain stem. Pituitary gland: it controls your hormones and it helps to turn food to energy. Without this gland you could eat but you wouldn't get any energy from the food. Pineal gland: This part controls your growing and maturing. It is activated by light so if you were born and lived all your life in a place without a trace of light your pineal gland would never start to work. Amygdala: The amygdala (there are two of them) control your emotions such as regulating when you're happy or mad. Your amygdala is very important. Without it you could win the lottery and feel nothing. You wouldn't be happy. Hippocampas: Forms and stores your memories (scientists think there are other things unknown about the hippocampas) and is involved in learning. If you didn't have it, you wouldn't be able to remember anything. People with Alzheimer's disease loose the functioning of their hippocampas. Mid- brain: this section controls your breathing, reflexes, and your swallowing reflexes. Includes the Thalamus, Hippocampus, and Amygdala. Every living thing has to have a
mid-brain. Pons- part of the metencephalon in the hindbrain. It is involved in motor control and sensory analysis... for example, information from the ear first enters the brain in the pons. It has parts that are important for the level of consciousness and for sleep. Some structures within the pons are linked to the cerebellum, thus are involved in movement and posture. Medulla Oblongata - this structure is the caudal-most part of the brain stem, between the pons and spinal cord. It is responsible for maintaining vital body functions, such as breathing, digestion and heartbeat. Read more: The brain References http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/kinser/definitions/def-medulla.html www.library.thinkquest.org/J002391/functions.html http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/brain_basics/know_your_brain.htm Siphiwo Nkonki (Health24, August 2011) The
human brain is not only one of the most important organs in the human body; it is also the most complex. The brain is made up of billions of neurons and that it also has a number of specialized parts that are each involved in important functions. While there is still a great deal
that researchers do not yet know about the brain, they have learned a great deal about the anatomy and function of the brain. Understanding these parts can help give people a better idea of how disease and damage may affect the brain and its ability to function. The Cerebral CortexMedicalRF.com/Getty ImagesThe cerebral cortex is the part of the brain that makes human beings unique. Functions that originate in the cerebral cortex include:
The cerebral cortex is what we see when we look at the brain. It is the outermost portion that can be divided into four lobes. Each bump on the surface of the brain is known as a gyrus, while each groove is known as a sulcus. The Four LobesPIXOLOGICSTUDIO/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty ImagesThe cerebral cortex can be divided into four sections, which are known as lobes. The frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, and temporal lobe have been associated with different functions ranging from reasoning to auditory perception. Frontal LobeThis lobe is located at the front of the brain and is associated with reasoning, motor skills, higher level cognition, and expressive language. At the back of the frontal lobe, near the central sulcus, lies the motor cortex. The motor cortex receives information from various lobes of the brain and uses this information to carry out body movements. Damage to the frontal lobe can lead to changes in sexual habits, socialization, and attention as well as increased risk-taking. Parietal LobeThe parietal lobe is located in the middle section of the brain and is associated with processing tactile sensory information such as pressure, touch, and pain. A portion of the brain known as the somatosensory cortex is located in this lobe and is essential to the processing of the body's senses. Temporal LobeThe temporal lobe is located on the bottom section of the brain. This lobe is also the location of the primary auditory cortex, which is important for interpreting sounds and the language we hear. The hippocampus is also located in the temporal lobe, which is why this portion of the brain is also heavily associated with the formation of memories. Damage to the temporal lobe can lead to problems with memory, speech perception, and language skills. Occipital LobeThe occipital lobe is located at the back portion of the brain and is associated with interpreting visual stimuli and information. The primary visual cortex, which receives and interprets information from the retinas of the eyes, is located in the occipital lobe. Damage to this lobe can cause visual problems such as difficulty recognizing objects, an inability to identify colors, and trouble recognizing words. The Brain StemPIXOLOGICSTUDIO/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty ImagesThe brainstem is an area located at the base of the brain that contains structures vital for involuntary functions such as the heartbeat and breathing. The brain stem is comprised of the midbrain, pons, and medulla. MidbrainThe midbrainis often considered the smallest region of the brain. It acts as a sort of relay station for auditory and visual information. The midbrain controls many important functions such as the visual and auditory systems as well as eye movement. Portions of the midbrain called the red nucleus and the substantia nigra are involved in the control of body movement. The darkly pigmented substantia nigra contains a large number of dopamine-producing neurons. The degeneration of neurons in the substantia nigra is associated with Parkinson’s disease. MedullaThe medulla is located directly above the spinal cord in the lower part of the brain stem and controls many vital autonomic functions such as heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. PonsThe pons connects the cerebral cortex to the medulla and to the cerebellum and serves a number of important functions. It plays a role in several autonomic processes, such as stimulating breathing and controlling sleep cycles. The CerebellumImage by Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, and Technology(MEXT) Integrated Database ProjectSometimes referred to as the "little brain," the cerebellum lies on top of the pons behind the brain stem. The cerebellum is comprised of small lobes and serves a number of important functions.
The Limbic SystemImage by Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, and Technology(MEXT) Integrated Database ProjectAlthough there is no totally agreed-upon list of the structures that make up the limbic system, four of the main regions include: The HypothalamusThe hypothalamus is a grouping of nuclei that lie along the base of the brain near the pituitary gland. The hypothalamus connects with many other regions of the brain and is responsible for controlling hunger, thirst, emotions, body temperature regulation, and circadian rhythms. The hypothalamus also controls the pituitary gland by secreting hormones. This gives the hypothalamus a great deal of control over many body functions. The AmygdalaThe amygdala is a cluster of nuclei located close to the base of the brain. It is primarily involved in functions including memory, emotion, and the body's fight-or-flight response. The structure processes external stimuli and then relays that information to the hippocampus, which can then prompt a response to deal with outside threats. The ThalamusLocated above the brainstem, the thalamus processes and transmits movement and sensory information. It is essentially a relay station, taking in sensory information and then passing it on to the cerebral cortex. The cerebral cortex also sends information to the thalamus, which then sends this information to other systems. The HippocampusThe hippocampus is a structure located in the temporal lobe. It is important in memory and learning and is sometimes considered to be part of the limbic system because it plays an important part in the control of emotional responses. It plays a role in the body's fight-or-flight response and in the recall and regulation of emotional memories. Brain ConditionsThe brain can also be affected by a number of conditions and by damage. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, there are more than 600 types of neurological diseases. Some conditions that can affect the brain and its function include:
By studying the brain and learning more about its anatomy and function, researchers are able to develop new treatments and preventative strategies for conditions that affect the brain. Protecting Your BrainYou can't change your genetics or some other risk factors. But it's important to take steps to help protect the health of your brain. Diet and ExerciseResearch suggests that regular physical activity is essential for brain health. For example, that exercise can help delay brain aging as well as degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis. It is also associated with improvements in cognitive abilities and memory. Similarly, a nutritious, balanced diet that includes omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants is important for brain function (as well as overall health). It's also essential to protect your brain from injury by, for example, wearing a helmet when participating in physical activities that pose a risk for collision or falls, and always wearing a seatbelt when driving or riding in a car. RestSleep can also play a pivotal role in brain health and mental well-being. Studies have found that sleep can actually play a role in the development and maintenance of some psychiatric conditions including anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. Mental ActivityEvidence also suggests that staying mentally engaged can also play an important role in protecting your brain from some degenerative conditions. Activities that may help include learning new things and staying socially active. A Word From VerywellThe human brain is remarkably complex and researchers are still discovering many of the mysteries of how the mind works. By better understanding how different parts of the brain function, you can also better appreciate how disease or injury may impact it. If you think that you are experiencing symptoms of a brain condition, talk to your doctor for further evaluation. Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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By Kendra Cherry
Thanks for your feedback! What are the 11 parts of brain?Anatomically, the brain consists of the following parts:. Forebrain. Cerebrum, Hypothalamus. Thalamus.. Midbrain. Tectum. Tegmentum.. Hindbrain. Cerebellum. Medulla. Pons.. What are the parts of the inner brain?The brain can be divided into three basic units: the forebrain, the midbrain, and the hindbrain. The hindbrain includes the upper part of the spinal cord, the brain stem, and a wrinkled ball of tissue called the cerebellum. The hindbrain controls the body's vital functions such as respiration and heart rate.
What is internal function of the brain?The brain directs our body's internal functions. It also integrates sensory impulses and information to form perceptions, thoughts, and memories. The brain gives us self-awareness and the ability to speak and move in the world.
What are the 10 functions of the brain?Your brain enables:. Thoughts and decisions.. Memories and emotions.. Movements (motor function), balance and coordination.. Perception of various sensations including pain.. Automatic behavior such as breathing, heart rate, sleep and temperature control.. Regulation of organ function.. Speech and language functions.. |