The brain consists of different regions that have distinct functions but communicate with each other. The brain consists of the cerebral cortex, brain stem and cerebellum. The cerebral cortex is further broken down into four lobes: the frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital lobes. Each of these lobes can be further broken down into subregions. The brain stem consists of the thalamus, hypothalamus, midbrain, pons and medulla.
Frontal Lobe
The frontal lobe is one of the four lobes making up the cerebral cortex. The frontal lobe consists of the motor association cortex, primary motor cortex, primary somatosensory cortex and prefrontal cortex. The motor and motor association cortices control movement and behaviors. The primary somatorsensory cortex processes touch. The prefrontal cortex controls planning and what many call "free will."
Occipital Lobe
The occipital lobe contains the visual association cortex and the primary visual cortex. The occipital lobe processes vision.
Temporal Lobe
The temporal lobe includes the auditory association cortex and the visual association cortex, as well as the hippocampus, basal ganglia, amygdala and fornix. The hippocampus processes long-term memory and also is important for spatial learning and memory. The basal ganglia control movement. The amygdala processes emotions. The fornix connects the hippocampus to other parts of the brain.
Parietal Lobe
The parietal lobe includes the somatosensory association cortex. It integrates sensory information, such as pain, touch and temperature.
Cerebellum
The cerebellum controls coordinated movement and has a role in balance, walking and standing.
Pons
The pons is part of the brain stem. The pons is important for sleep and arousal and also relays information from the cerebral cortex to the cerebellum.
Medulla
The medulla is part of the brain stem. The medulla controls heartbeats, breathing and muscle tone.
Midbrain
The midbrain is part of the brain stem and has many functions. The midbrain contains the superior and inferior colliculi, which are part of the auditory and visual system, respectfully. The midbrain also contains the reticular formation, which controls sleep, arousal, attention and some reflexes, and the periaqueductal gray matter, which controls analgesia, consciousness and defensive behaviors. The substantia nigra and red nucleus are also part of the midbrain and work with the motor system.
Thalamus
The thalamus is part of the brain stem.The thalamus is a relay station, because it receives sensory information and then sends it to specific regions of the cerebral cortex.
Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus is part of the brain stem. The hypothalamus is important for survival, since it regulates the "four Fs:" feeding, fighting, fleeing and reproduction.
References
- "Principles of Neural Science"; Eric Kandel, James Schwartz, and Thomas Jessell; 2000
- "Physiology of Behavior"; Neil Carson; 2001
