Brain Anatomy and Functions

Overview

• The brain is divided into three major parts:
  • Cerebrum
    • Largest part
    • Outer wrinkled cortex
    • Divided into two hemispheres and four lobes
    • Major processing center
    • Controls language, voluntary movement, emotions, and processes information from the body.
  • Cerebellum
    • Located at the back of the head
    • Also known as "little brain"
    • Controls balance, coordination, posture, and fine motor skills.
  • Brain Stem
    • Connects spinal cord to the brain
    • Controls automatic functions like heartbeat, breathing, and blood pressure.

Additional Structures

• Thalamus: Relay center
• Hypothalamus: Regulates endocrine system, hormones, sleep-wake cycle
• Pituitary Gland: Known as the "master gland"
• Pons: Bulge in the brain stem
• Medulla Oblongata: Part of the brain stem

Brain Sections

• Hindbrain: Includes brain stem and cerebellum
• Midbrain: Sits on top of the brain stem
• Forebrain: Upper region including cerebrum

Hemispheres

• Brain divided into two hemispheres:
  • Left Hemisphere: Primarily processes language
  • Right Hemisphere: Functions not specified, but works with the left hemisphere
• Corpus Callosum: Band of fibers connecting both hemispheres

Brain Surface

• Wrinkled Surface: Increases surface area within the skull
• Sulci (sulcus): Grooves or valleys
• Gyri (gyrus): Bumps or ridges

Important Sulci and Gyri

• Central Sulcus: Divides frontal lobe from parietal lobe
  • Frontal Lobe: Decision making, problem-solving, impulse control
  • Parietal Lobe: Processes sensory information such as temperature and texture
  • Primary Motor Cortex (gyrus): Sends information to muscles
  • Primary Somatosensory Cortex (gyrus): Receives sensory information from the body
• Lateral Sulcus: Divides temporal lobe from frontal and parietal lobes
  • Temporal Lobe: Processes auditory information and contains hippocampus (memory processing) and amygdala (emotions)
  • Both hemispheres have their own temporal lobes

Occipital Lobe

• Located above the cerebellum
• Processes visual information from the eyes

This overview presents a quick guide to the major structures and functions of the brain as discussed.