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Anatomy of the Brain

Biology
Anatomy of the Brain
By Regina Bailey

The anatomy1 of the brain is complex due its intricate structure and function. This amazing organ acts as a control center by receiving, interpreting, and directing sensory information throughout the body. The brain and spinal cord 2 are the two main structures of the central nervous system3 . There are three major divisions of the brain. They are the forebrain, the midbrain, and the hindbrain. Anatomy of the Brain: Brain Divisions
Hum an Brain Paul Carus

The forebrain is responsible for a variety of functions including receiving and processing sensory information, thinking, perceiving, producing and understanding language, and controlling motor function. There are two major divisions of forebrain: the diencephalon 4 and the telencephalon 5 . The diencephalon contains structures such as the thalamus 6 and hypothalamus 7 which are responsible for such functions as motor control, relaying sensory information, and controlling autonomic functions. The telencephalon contains the largest part of the brain, the cerebrum8 . Most of the actual information processing in the brain takes place in the cerebral cortex9 . The midbrain and the hindbrain together make up the brainstem10 . The midbrain is the portion of the brainstem that connects the hindbrain and the forebrain. This region of the brain is involved in auditory and visual responses as well as motor function. The hindbrain extends from the spinal cord and is composed of the metencephalon 11 and myelencephalon 12 . The metencephalon contains structures such as the pons 13 and cerebellum14 . These regions assists in maintaining balance and equilibrium, movement coordination, and the conduction of sensory information. The myelencephalon is composed of the medulla oblongata 15 which is responsible for controlling such autonomic functions as breathing, heart rate, and digestion. Prosencephalon 16 - Forebrain Diencephalon 17 Telencephalon 18 Mesencephalon 19 - Midbrain Rhombencephalon 20 - Hindbrain Metencephalon 21 Myelencephalon 22 Anatomy of the Brain: Structures The brain contains various structures that have a multitude of functions. Below is a list of major structures of the brain and some of their functions. Basal Ganglia 23 Involved in cognition and voluntary movement Diseases related to damages of this area are Parkinson's and Huntington's Brainstem24 Relays information between the peripheral nerves and spinal cord to the upper parts of the brain Consists of the midbrain, medulla oblongata, and the pons Broca's Area 25 Speech production Understanding language Central Sulcus (Fissure of Rolando)26 Deep grove that separates the parietal27 and frontal28 lobes Cerebellum29 Controls movement coordination Maintains balance and equilibrium Cerebral Cortex30 Outer portion (1.5mm to 5mm) of the cerebrum31

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Receives and processes sensory information Divided into cerebral cortex lobes Cerebral Cortex Lobes 32

Anatomy of the Brain

Frontal Lobes 33 -involved with decision-making, problem solving, and planning Occipital Lobes 34 -involved with vision and color recognition Parietal Lobes 35 - receives and processes sensory information Temporal Lobes 36 - involved with emotional responses, memory, and speech Cerebrum37 Largest portion of the brain Consists of folded bulges called gyri that create deep furrows Corpus Callosum38 Thick band of fibers that connects the left and right brain hemispheres Cranial Nerves 39 Twelve pairs of nerves that originate in the brain, exit the skull, and lead to the head, neck and torso Fissure of Sylvius (Lateral Sulcus)40 Deep grove that separates the parietal41 and temporal42 lobes Limbic System Structures 43 Amygdala 44 - involved in emotional responses, hormonal secretions, and memory Cingulate Gyrus 45 - a fold in the brain involved with sensory input concerning emotions and the regulation of aggressive behavior Fornix46 - an arching, fibrous band of nerve fibers that connect the hippocampus to the hypothalamus Hippocampus 47 - sends memories out to the appropriate part of the cerebral hemisphere for long-term storage and retrievs them when necessary Hypothalamus 48 - directs a multitude of important functions such as body temperature, hunger, and homeostasis Olfactory Cortex49 - receives sensory information from the olfactory bulb and is involved in the identification of odors Thalamus 50 - mass of grey matter cells that relay sensory signals to and from the spinal cord and the cerebrum Medulla Oblongata 51 Lower part of the brainstem that helps to control autonomic functions Meninges 52 Membranes that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord Olfactory Bulb 53 Bulb-shaped end of the olfactory lobe Involved in the sense of smell Pineal Gland 54 Endocrine gland involved in biological rhythms Secretes the hormone melatonin Pituitary Gland 55 Endocrine gland involved in homeostasis Regulates other endocrine glands Pons 56 Relays sensory information between the cerebrum and cerebellum

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Reticular Formation 57

Anatomy of the Brain

Nerve fibers located inside the brainstem Regulates awareness and sleep Substantia Nigra 58 Helps to control voluntary movement and regualtes mood Tectum59 The dorsal region of the mesencephalon (mid brain) Tegmentum60 The ventral region of the mesencephalon (mid brain). Ventricular System61 - connecting system of internal brain cavities filled with cerebrospinal fluid Aqueduct of Sylvius 62 - canal that is located between the third ventricle and the fourth ventricle Choroid Plexus 63 - produces cerebrospinal fluid Fourth Ventricle 64 - canal that runs between the pons, medulla oblongata, and the cerebellum Lateral Ventricle 65 - largest of the ventricles and located in both brain hemispheres Third Ventricle 66 - provides a pathway for cerebrospinal fluid to flow Wernicke's Area 67 Region of the brain where spoken language is understood

More About the Brain For additional information about the brain, see Brain Basics 68 . Would you like to test your knowledge of the human brain? Take the Human Brain Quiz 69 !

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Anatomy of the Brain

3. http://biology.about.com /od/organsyste m s/ss/ce ntral-ne rvous-syste m .htm 4. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/bldie nce ph.htm 5. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blte le nce ph.htm 6. http://biology.about.com /od/anatom y/p/thalam us.htm 7. http://biology.about.com /od/anatom y/p/Hypothalam us.htm 8. http://biology.about.com /od/anatom y/p/ce re brum .htm 9. http://biology.about.com /od/anatom y/a/aa032505a.htm 10. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blbrainste m .htm 11. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blm e te nce ph.htm 12. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blm ye le nce ph.htm 13. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blpons.htm 14. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blce re be llum .htm 15. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blm e dulla.htm 16. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blprose nce ph.htm 17. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/bldie nce ph.htm 18. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blte le nce ph.htm 19. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blm e se nce ph.htm 20. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blrhom be nce ph.htm 21. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blm e te nce ph.htm 22. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blm ye le nce ph.htm 23. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blbasalgan.htm 24. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blbrainste m .htm 25. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blbroca.htm 26. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blsulcus.htm 27. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blparie tallobe .htm 28. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blfrontallobe .htm 29. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blce re be llum .htm 30. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blcorte x .htm 31. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blce re brum .htm 32. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/bllobe s.htm 33. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blfrontallobe .htm 34. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/bloccipitallobe .htm 35. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blparie tallobe .htm 36. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blte m porallobe .htm 37. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blce re brum .htm 38. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blcorpus.htm 39. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blcranialne rve .htm 40. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blsylvius.htm 41. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blparie tallobe .htm 42. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blte m porallobe .htm 43. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/bllim bic.htm 44. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blam ygdala.htm 45. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blcingyrus.htm 46. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blbodyfornix .htm 47. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blhippocam .htm 48. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blhypothal.htm 49. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blolfactorycor.htm 50. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blthalam us.htm 51. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blm e dulla.htm 52. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blm e ninge s.htm 53. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blolfactorybulb.htm 54. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blpine al.htm 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 68. 69. http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blpituitary.htm http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blpons.htm http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blre ticular.htm http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blsubstantianigra.htm http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blte ctum .htm http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blte gm e ntum .htm http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blve ntricle s.htm http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blaque duct.htm http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blchoroidple x .htm http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blfourthve nt.htm http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/bllate ralve nt.htm http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blthirdve nt.htm http://biology.about.com /library/organs/brain/blwe rnick e .htm http://biology.about.com /od/anatom y/a/aa120704a.htm http://biology.about.com /od/gam e sandquizze s/a/aa092107a.htm

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