Lecture Notes: Brain Structure and Function

Introduction

• Speaker: Dr. Gonzalez
• Topics: Overview of brain structure and function, similar to an organic computer with ~20 billion neurons.

Main Parts of the Brain

1. Cerebrum

• Processes conscious thoughts and intellectual functions.
• Functions include:
  • Memory storage and processing.
  • Conscious and subconscious regulation of skeletal muscle contractions.

2. Diencephalon

• Includes the thalamus and hypothalamus.
  • Thalamus: Relay and processing center for sensory information.
  • Hypothalamus: Controls emotions, autonomic functions, and hormone production.

3. Mesencephalon (Midbrain)

• Functions:
  • Processing of visual and auditory data.
  • Generating reflexive somatic motor responses.
  • Maintaining consciousness.

4. Pons

• Relays sensory information to the cerebellum and thalamus.
• Houses subconscious somatic and visceral motor centers.

5. Medulla Oblongata

• Relays sensory information to the thalamus and other brainstem regions.
• Contains autonomic centers regulating cardiovascular, respiratory, and digestive activities.

Hemispheres of the Cerebrum

• Divided into left and right hemispheres by a longitudinal fissure.
• Contains lobes: frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal, and insula.

Lobes of the Cerebrum

Frontal Lobe

• Controls skeletal muscles.
• Associated with personality.

Parietal Lobe

• Perceives touch, pressure, vibration, pain, temperature, and taste.

Occipital Lobe

• Processes visual stimuli.

Temporal Lobe

• Processes auditory and olfactory stimuli.
• Located near the insula.

Insula

• Hidden beneath the frontal and temporal lobes.

Gyri and Cortices

• Precentral Gyrus:
  • Houses the primary motor cortex.
  • Controls somatic motor neurons.
• Postcentral Gyrus:
  • Contains the primary somatosensory cortex.
  • Receives sensory information for touch, pressure, etc.

Association Areas

• Somatosensory Association Area: Integrates sensory information.
• Premotor Cortex: Coordinates learned movements.
• Visual Association Area: Interprets visual objects.
• Auditory Association Area: Recognizes sounds.

Language and Speech

• Wernicke's Area: Analytical, involved in personality and language comprehension.
• Broca's Area: Speech production and motor coordination.

Hemispheric Lateralization

• Left hemisphere: Speech, writing, language, mathematics.
• Right hemisphere: Touch analysis, spatial visualization.
• Wernicke's area typically larger in the dominant hemisphere.

Additional Brain Structures

• Pons: Relays information to cerebellum and thalamus; regulates motor centers.
• Medulla Oblongata: Regulates heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion.
• Cerebellum: Coordinates motor functions, ensuring balance and smooth operations.

Conclusion

• End of lecture.
• Encouragement to subscribe, like, and share.
• Mention of Etsy store: Queen Mary Anatomy.