The National Institute of Neurological Disorders stated that the brain is the most complex part of the body(1). It is the source of all qualities that define one’s humanity.
The brain controls thoughts, memory, speech, and arm and leg movements, including the functions of several other organs within the body(2).
Moreover, the brain determines how individuals respond to stressful situations, such as developing ailments, losing a job, taking a test, and giving birth.
The three main parts of the brain include the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem.
The cerebrum is the largest portion of the brain(3). The cerebral cortex (gray matter) is the outermost layer of the cerebrum.
Moreover, the cerebrum is divided into two hemispheres(4). The left hemisphere is involved in speech and abstract thinking, while the right hemisphere often controls spatial thinking and imagery.
Furthermore, the right hemisphere controls the left side of the body, while the left hemisphere manages the right side(5). These hemispheres communicate with each other through the corpus colosseum, a thick tract of nerves(6).
The cerebrum is also involved in other functions, such as coordination of movement, learning, vision, reasoning, emotions, and problem-solving(7).
The brain’s hemispheres have four lobes(8). These include the frontal lobes, parietal lobes, occipital lobes, and temporal lobes.
The frontal lobe is the biggest section of the brain(9). This lobe is involved in thinking, planning, problem-solving, short-term memory, and movement.
The parietal lobe is the brain’s middle part, which aids in identifying objects and understanding spatial relationships(10). This lobe is responsible for interpreting sensory messages, like taste, touch, and temperature.
Located at the back of the brain, the occipital lobe is involved in processing images from the eyes and linking information with images stored in one’s memory(11).
The temporal lobe is located at the sides of the brain(12). This lobe is involved in processing information from one’s sense of smell, taste, and sound(13). Moreover, it is essential for memory storage.
Occupying the back of the brain, the cerebellum is involved in coordinating voluntary muscle movements and maintaining balance and posture(13). The cerebellum performs this function by controlling muscles’ tone and the limbs’ position(14).
The cerebellum is also essential when performing rapid and repetitive actions, like playing video games(15). Moreover, in the cerebellum, right-sided irregularities show symptoms on the same side of the body.
The brainstem is what links the brain and the spinal cord(16). It is involved in several functions essential to life, including blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing. Moreover, the brainstem is vital for sleep.
The brainstem includes the midbrain, medulla, and pons.
The midbrain is the shortest part of the brain(17). It helps regulate various body functions, including eye and face movement and auditory and visual information processing.
The most crucial part of the entire brain is the medulla oblongata(18). Located at the lowest part of the brainstem, it is involved in breathing control, heart rhythms, blood pressure, and swallowing(19).
The pons is responsible for coordinating eye and face movements, hearing, facial sensation, and balance(20). It is a deep part of the brain located in the brainstem.
The limbic system is composed of structures deep within the brain(21). These structures are responsible for controlling emotions and memories. Moreover, they come in pairs, with each part duplicated in the opposite half of the brain.
The thalamus serves as a gatekeeper for messages that pass between the cerebral hemisphere and the spinal cord(22). Pain sensation, temperature, and blood pressure are relayed through the thalamus(23).
Although relatively small in size, the hypothalamus is essential in different functions(24). These include heart rate control, the passage of food, and the contraction of the bladder.
Moreover, the hypothalamus helps translate emotions, like pleasure, excitement, and fear, into a physical response. The hypothalamus also controls urges, like eating or sleeping.
The hippocampus is responsible for sending information to be stored in respective sections of the cerebrum and remembering those pieces of information when necessary(25).
While the body and brain may change as people age, there are ways to avoid memory decline and keep a healthy mind(26).
Understanding the anatomy of the brain and following the tips above can help individuals protect their brains.
26 sources
Bibliographie: • Harnsberger HR, Osborn AG, Ross JS, Moore KR, Salzman KL, Carrasco CR, Halmiton BE, Davidson HC, Wiggins RH. Diagnostic and Surgical Imaging Anatomy: Brain, Head and Neck, Spine. 3rd ed. Salt Lake City, Utah. Amirsys. 2007.
Cerebrospinal Fluid – Choroid Plexus Read More
The central sulcus (fissure of Rolando) separates the frontal lobe (anterior) from the parietal lobe (posterior). The location of the central sulcus is made by finding the intersection of the superior frontal sulcus with the precentral sulcus on axial slices near the top: see figure 8. Reference • Harnsberger HR, Osborn AG, Ross JS,
Central sulcus (fissure of Rolando) Read More
This photo gallery presents the anatomy of Cerebellum by means of MRI (T1-weighted sagittal, axial and coronal views). The cerebellum, Latin for “little brain,” is found at the base of the hindbrain or back of the brain. Findings showed that the cerebellum plays a vital role in maintaining balance, coordinating voluntary muscle movement, and
This web page presents the anatomy of cisterns and subarachnoid spaces by means of MRI. Prepontine cistern Premedullary cistern Cerebellopontine cistern Cisterna magna Superior cerebellar cistern Interpeduncular cistern Ambient cistern Quadrigeminal cistern Suprasellar cistern What Are Cerebral Cisterns Cisterns, commonly known as subarachnoid cisterns, are enlarged pockets of cerebrospinal fluid located in the subarachnoid
The brain can be divided into left and right cerebral hemispheres. Each cerebral hemisphere is divided into six sections, called “lobes”: frontal lobe, parietal lobe, temporal and occipital lobe; plus two other that are not visible from outside: Insula and limbic lobe. To locate these different lobes of the brain, a 3D reconstruction was
Cerebral hemispheres (overview) Read More
This photo gallery presents the anatomical structures found on cerebral CT. Axial reconstructions Coronal reconstructions Sagittal reconstructions Axial reconstructions Image 1, cerebral CT, axial reconstruction. 1, Maxillary sinus (Right side). 2, Nasal septum. 3, Maxillary sinus (left side). 4, Nasopharynx. 5, External auditory meatus. 6, Foramen magnum. 7, Cerebellum. Image 2, cerebral CT, axial
This photo gallery presents the anatomy of caudate nucleus by means of MRI (T1-weighted axial, sagittal and coronal views). The caudate nucleus (CN) plays a vital role in various higher neurological functions. The CN is a paired, C-shaped subcortical structure located deep inside the brain near the thalamus(1). Caudate nuclei contain a large anterior
This photo gallery presents the anatomy of brainstem by means of MRI (T1-weighted sagittal, axial and coronal views). Brainstem = Midbrain + Pons + Medulla [ image_slider ] The Brainstem The brainstem refers to the middle part of the brain(1). It consists of the medulla, pons, and midbrain. The brainstem helps relay sensory information,
This photo gallery presents the anatomy of lentiform nucleus by means of MRI (T1-weighted axial and coronal views). Reference: • Harnsberger HR, Osborn AG, Ross JS, Moore KR, Salzman KL, Carrasco CR, Halmiton BE, Davidson HC, Wiggins RH. Diagnostic and Surgical Imaging Anatomy: Brain, Head and Neck, Spine. 3rd ed. Salt Lake City, Utah.
There are several areas in the lateral ventricle: the frontal horn, which is bounded by the caudate nucleus, Corpus callosum and septum pellucidum the body of the lateral ventricle is bounded by the caudate nucleus / thalamus, corpus callosum and fornix the atrium: this is the focal point of the occipital and temporal horns
