Overview
The complex human brain controls who we are: how we think, feel, and act. It gives meaning to our world and our place in it. The brain also controls all major body functions.
The brain is housed in the skull, which protects it from injury. Averaging a pound at birth, the brain grows to approximately three pounds by adulthood. The brain, along with the spinal cord is a crucial component of the central nervous system (CNS).
Two types of cells exist in the brain. Neurons send and receive signals to and from your brain and the rest of the body. Glial cells, sometimes called neuroglia or glia, form myelin, a fatty, insulating layer around nerve fibers. The cells maintain stability, and provide nutrition and support.
Each part of the brain performs a particular function and is linked to other parts of the brain.
In between the skull and brain are three layers of tissue, called meninges. They protect the brain. The strong, outermost layer is named the dura mater. The middle layer, the arachnoid mater, is a thin membrane made of blood vessels and elastic tissue. It covers the entire brain. The pia mater is the innermost layer, with blood vessels that run deep into the brain.
| Region | Location | Function |
| Cerebrum | Forebrain, largest part of the brain divided into two halves | Performs higher functioning processes such as vision, hearing, speech, emotion, and movement |
| Left hemisphere | Left side of cerebrum | Responsible for language in most right-handed people and about 50 percent of left-handed people; controls analytical reasoning and calculations; processes motor and sensory signals for the right side of the body |
| Right hemisphere | Right side of cerebrum | Interprets visual cues and spatial processing, including emotional, artistic, and visual reasoning; processes motor and sensory signals for left side of the body |
| Corpus callosum | Between the two hemispheres | Connects the left and right hemispheres |
| Frontal lobe | Largest section of brain, front of the head | Helps form reasoning, emotions, movement |
| Parietal lobe | Middle part of brain | Helps us understand our spatial relation to other people and objects; interprets touch and pain |
| Occipital lobe | Back of the brain | Helps process visual information |
| Temporal lobes | On each side of the brain | Helps with memory, language, smell, the ability to recognize faces; interprets emotions |
| Cerebellum | Hindbrain | Controls fine motor movements, balance, and posture |
| Brainstem | In front of the cerebellum, connected to the spinal cord | Controls basic bodily functions that are necessary for survival |
| Midbrain | Top section of the brainstem | Controls eye movements, facial sensation, balance, and hearing |
| Pons | Middle section of the brainstem | Controls sensory analysis, motor skills, sleep, and consciousness |
| Medulla oblongata | Lowest section of brainstem | Controls respiratory drive, swallowing, coughing, gag reflex; helps to regulate circulation, blood pressure, and heart rate |
| Limbic system | Set of structures above the brainstem | Responsible for emotions |
| Thalamus | Found under the cerebrum | Responsible for integrating all of the sensory signals coming from the spinal cord and limbic system |
| Hypothalamus | Sits right below the thalamus | Sends messages to pituitary gland and helps to regulate temperature, thirst, water balance, sleep, hormone production, and appetite |
| Amygdala | Structure in limbic system | Processes aggressive behavior and fear |
| Hippocampus | Structure in limbic system | Helps us remember new information |
| Pituitary gland | Base of the brain | Secretes hormones |
| Basal ganglia | Within the deep part of the cerebrum | Coordinates steady movements |
The cerebrum, or forebrain, forms the biggest part of the brain and is divided in two halves. The left hemisphere is largely responsible for language. The right hemisphere is important for interpreting visual cues and spatial processing. The cerebrum controls coordination, temperature, sight, sound, reasoning, learning, and emotions.
The space between the two hemispheres is called the great longitudinal fissure. The corpus callosum connects the two sides and transfers signals from one side of the brain to the other.
The cerebrum has billions of neurons and glia that form the cerebral cortex, its outermost layer. This is commonly known as gray matter. Connection fibers between neurons beneath the surface of the brain are called white matter.
The cerebellum, or hindbrain, handles fine motor movements, balance, and posture. It helps us to perform quick and repetitive movements.
The brainstem is in front of the cerebellum and is connected to the spinal cord. Its job is to pass signals between the cerebral cortex and the rest of the body. It helps to control our most basic functions and is made up of three parts.
The midbrain controls eye movements, facial sensation, balance, and hearing. Signals from the cortex to the spinal cord and nerves move through the pons, which controls sensory analysis, motor skills, sleep, and consciousness. The lowest part of the brainstem is the medulla oblongata, which helps controls heart and lung functions, among other functions.
The frontal lobe is the largest part of the brain, located in the front of the head. It helps to form reasoning, emotions, and movement. The parietal lobe is the middle part of the brain. It helps us to understand our place in relation to other people and things. It also helps us to interpret touch and pain. The occipital lobe is the back of the brain and helps us process visual information.
The temporal lobes are located on each side of the brain. They help with memory, language, and our sense of smell. They also help us to recognize faces and objects and interpret the reactions of other people.
The limbic system is responsible for emotions. The thalamus is the hub for information coming and going to the cortex. It deals with the sensation of pain and alertness. The hypothalamus is a tiny structure that sends messages to the pituitary gland. It also helps to control sexual behavior, eating, sleeping, body temperature, and movement. The amygdala is involved in processing aggressive behavior and fear. The hippocampus helps us to remember new information.
The brain has four ventricles connected by cavities and tubes. The two lateral ventricles in the cerebral hemispheres communicate with a third located in the center of the brain. It communicates with the fourth at the base of the brain through a tube called the cerebral aqueduct.
Cerebrospinal fluid flows through the fourth ventricle and around the brain. This is a clear, watery liquid produced in the ventricles. It cushions the brain and spinal cord, and is continually absorbed and replenished.
The pineal gland is an outgrowth at the back of the third ventricle. Its purpose isn’t fully understood, but is thought to play a part in sexual maturation.
The pituitary is a small gland at the base of the brain that secretes hormones. It plays a key role in the function of other glands, organs, sexual development, and growth.