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