Download Brain Structures and Functions

Brain Structures and
Functions
The Nervous System
• The central nervous system (CNS): brain and
the spinal cord.
• Peripheral nervous system (PNS): nerves.
• Motor neurons: deliver the instructions from
the brain to the rest of your body.
• The spinal cord: carries messages to and from
the brain.
The Brain
• Three main parts of brain: the
forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain.
• Forebrain: cerebrum, thalamus, and
hypothalamus (part of the limbic
system).
• Midbrain: tectum and tegmentum.
• Hindbrain: cerebellum, pons and
medulla.
The Cerebrum
• Largest part of the human brain, associated
with higher brain function such as thought and
action.
• Divided into four sections, called "lobes": the
frontal lobe (reasoning, planning, parts of
speech, movement, emotions, and problem
solving); parietal lobe (movement,
orientation, recognition, perception of stimuli);
occipital lobe (visual processing); and
temporal lobe (perception and recognition of
auditory stimuli, memory, and speech).
• Divided into two halves: left hemisphere =
logic and right hemisphere= creativity.
The Cerebellum
• Regulates and coordinates movement,
posture, and balance.
• “Little brain.”
• Two hemispheres.
Limbic System
• ”Emotional brain" is found
buried within the
cerebrum.
• Contains the thalamus
(sensory and motor
functions);
hypothalamus (emotion,
thirst, hunger, circadian
rhythms); amygdala
(memory and emotion);
and hippocampus
(learning and memory).
Brain Stem
• Responsible for basic vital
life functions such as
breathing, heartbeat, and
blood pressure.
• The brain stem is made of
the midbrain (vision,
hearing, eye movement
and bodily movement);
pons (motor control and
sensory analysis); and
medulla (maintaining
vital bodily functions such
as breathing).