Structure and Function of the Human Brain

Structure and Function of the Human Brain

 

The brain has three main parts, the cerebrum, the cerebellum, and the brain stem. The brain is divided into regions that control specific functions.

THE CEREBRUM:

Frontal Lobe

• Behavior
• Abstract thought processes
• Problem solving
• Attention
• Creative thought
• Some emotion
• Intellect
• Reflection
• Judgment
• Initiative
• Inhibition
• Coordination of movements
• Generalized and mass movements
• Some eye movements
• Sense of smell
• Muscle movements
• Skilled movements
• Some motor skills
• Physical reaction
• Libido (sexual urges)

Occipital Lobe

• Vision
• Reading

Parietal Lobe

• Sense of touch (tactile senstation)
• Appreciation of form through touch (stereognosis)
• Response to internal stimuli (proprioception)
• Sensory combination and comprehension
• Some language and reading functions
• Some visual functions

Temporal Lobe

• Auditory memories
• Some hearing
• Visual memories
• Some vision pathways
• Other memory
• Music
• Fear
• Some language
• Some speech
• Some behavior amd emotions
• Sense of identity

Right Hemisphere (the representational hemisphere)

• The right hemisphere controls the left side of the body
• Temporal and spatial relationships
• Analyzing nonverbal information
• Communicating emotion

Left Hemisphere (the categorical hemisphere)

• The left hemisphere controls the right side of the body
• Produce and understand language

Corpus Callosum

• Communication between the left and right side of the brain

THE CEREBELLUM

• Balance
• Posture
• Cardiac, respiratory, and vasomotor centers

THE BRAIN STEM

• Motor and sensory pathway to body and face
• Vital centers: cardiac, respiratory, vasomotor

Hypothalamus

• Moods and motivation
• Sexual maturation
• Temperature regulation
• Hormonal body processes

Optic Chiasm

• Vision and the optic nerve

Pituitary Gland

• Hormonal body processes
• Physical maturation
• Growth (height and form)
• Sexual maturation
• Sexual functioning

Spinal Cord

• Conduit and source of sensation and movement

Pineal Body

• Unknown

Ventricles and Cerebral Aqueduct

• Contains the cerebrospinal fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord

This information was consulted on the page: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/anatomy/brain/Structure.shtml

What is human brain?

What is human brain?

The brain is not a vessel to be filled, but a lamp for lighting.

(Plutarco) 

The brain is one of the largest and most complex organs in the human body.

It is made up of more than 100 billion nerves that communicate in trillions of connections called synapses.

The brain is made up of many specialized areas that work together:

• The cortex is the outermost layer of brain cells. Thinking and voluntary movements begin in the cortex.

• The brain stem is between the spinal cord and the rest of the brain. Basic functions like breathing and sleep are controlled here.

• The basal ganglia are a cluster of structures in the center of the brain. The basal ganglia coordinate messages between multiple other brain areas.

• The cerebellum is at the base and the back of the brain. The cerebellum is responsible for coordination and balance.

The brain is also divided into several lobes:

• The frontal lobes are responsible for problem solving and judgment and motor function.

• The parietal lobes manage sensation, handwriting, and body position.

• The temporal lobes are involved with memory and hearing.

• The occipital lobes contain the brain's visual processing system.

The brain is surrounded by a layer of tissue called the meninges. The skull (cranium) helps protect the brain from injury.

For more information to see the next link http://www.webmd.com/brain/picture-of-the-brain