Download SUMMARY OF THE MAJOR BRAIN STRUCTURES

SUMMARY OF THE MAJOR BRAIN STRUCTURES
Structure
Hindbrain
• Medulla
• Pons
• Cerebellum
• Reticular
formation
Midbrain
• Substantia
nigra
Forebrain
• Cerebral
cortex
Temporal lobe
Occipital lobe
Parietal lobe
Frontal lobe
• Corpus
callosum
Limbic System
• Hippocampus
• Hypothalamus
• Thalamus
Function
(The brainstem is made up of the hindbrain and the
midbrain)
Incoming sensory messages cross over to the opposite side of the
brain; outgoing motor messages cross over to the opposite side of the
body.
Controls vital autonomic functions, such as breathing, heart rate, and
digestion.
Relays information from higher brain regions to the cerebellum.
Involved in the control of balance, muscle tone, coordinated muscle
movements, and the learning of motor skills.
Network of neurons at the core of the medulla and pons that
helps regulate attention and sleep.
Plays a role in processing auditory and visual information before
sending it to higher brain centers.
Involved in motor control and dopamine production.
Contains centers involved in complex behaviors and
mental processes. Each hemisphere has four lobes:
Processes auditory information.
Processes visual information.
Processes bodily sensations.
Processes voluntary muscle movements and involved in
thinking and planning.
Communication link between the left and right cerebral
hemispheres.
Involved in learning and forming new memories.
Regulates the autonomic nervous system, behaviors related to
survival, and the pituitary gland.
Processes and distributes motor and sensory information going to and
from the cerebral cortex. Involved in regulating awareness, attention,
motivation, and emotional aspects of sensations.
• Amygdala
Involved in emotional responses (especially fear and rage),
learning, and memory formation.