Inside The Brain: Structure and Function

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The Brain : Structure and Function

March 08 , 2007

The Brain : Structure and Function

According to serendip .brynmawr .edu , brain consists of three main parts

The forebrain - cerebrum , thalamus and hypothalamus

The midbrain - tectum and tegmentum

The hindbrain - cerebellum , pons and medulla

The tectum , tegmentum , pons and medulla are referred as brain stem

Largest part of the brain is the cerebrum . The cerebral cortex is further divided into four lobes namely : the frontal lobe , parietal lobe occipital lobe and temporal lobe

Enchantedlearing .com stated

the following functions of 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 and libido (sexual urges

The parietal lobe has following functions - sense of touch (tactile sensation , appreciation of form through touch (stereo gnosis , response to internal stimuli (proprioception , sensory combination and comprehension , some language and reading functions and some visual functions

The functions of occipital lobe are - vision and reading

Temporal lobe has following functions - auditory memories , some hearing visual memories , some vision pathways , other memory , music , fear , some language , some speech , some behavior and emotions and sense of identity

The cerebrum is divided into two symmetrical halves namely left hemisphere and right hemisphere . The left hemisphere controls the right side of the body , produces and understands language . The right hemisphere controls left side of the body , temporal and spatial relationships , analyzes nonverbal information and communicating emotion

The corpus callosum a bundle of axons connecting the two hemispheres communicates between left and right side of the body

According to serendip .brynmawr .edu , the cerebellum too has two hemispheres with highly folded surface or cortex . The cerebellum has following functions balance , posture , cardiac , respiratory and vasomotor centers

Buried within the cerebrum is the limbic system or the so called emotional brain ' This system consists of the thalamus , hypothalamus amygdala and hippocampus . Thalamus is a large gray mass deeply situated in the forebrain and has sensory and motor functions . Functions of hypothalamus include homeostasis , emotion , thirst , hunger , circadian rhythms , control of the autonomic nervous system and pituitary . Amygdala is involved in memory , emotion and fear functions . Hippocampus helps in learning , memory , conversion of short term memory to more permanent memory and for recalling spatial relationship in the world surrounding us

Midbrain or Mesencephalon helps in vision , hearing , eye movement and body movement

Functions of Pons are motor control and sensory analysis

Medulla or Medulla Oblongata controls vital body functions such as breathing and heart rate

Works Cited

serendip .brynmawr .edu (2007 . Brain Structures and their Functions Page retrieved on March 08 , 2007 from : HYPERLINK "http /serendip .brynmawr .edu /bb /kinser /Structure1 .html http /serendip .brynmawr .edu /bb /kinser /Structure1 .html

Enchantedlearing .com (2007 . The Brain . Page retrieved on March 08 2007 from : HYPERLINK "http /www .enchantedlearning .com /subjects /anatomy /brain /Structure .shtml br http /www .enchantedlearning .com /subjects /anatomy /brain /Structure .shtml

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