The brain can be divided in to several regions based on physiological characteristics and physical divisions. The central nervous system is generally broken into the fore-brain which includes the cerebrum, the mid- and hind-brain which include the cerebellum, the brain stem and spinal chord.
Brain Stem and Spinal Chord
The brain stem and spinal chord are portions of the mid-and hind-brain. These parts of the brain serve as the connection between the central nervous system and the body. The spinal chord and brain-stem also process rudimentary functions such as balance, breathing and reflexes.
Cerebellum
The cerebellum is part of the mid-brain, and is the area where learned motor functions and habitual physical behaviors are processed.
Fore-Brain
The fore-brain is the most developed part of the human brain, and includes the various lobes of the brain and the insula which are collectively called the cerebral cortex. Other areas of the fore-brain include the corpus callosum, basal ganglia, limbic system and diencephalon.
Lobes of the Cerebral Cortex
The lobes of the cerebral cortex include the frontal lobe, where it is generally thought that executive decisions are made and control of the body is orchestrated; the parietal lobe, where motor and sensory input are processed; the temporal lobe, where language and sound are processed; the occipital lobe, where visual and spacial skills are processed; and the insula.
The brain is an extremely complex organ and, although these processes are generally located in the respective regions or lobes, there is much crossover of function, and most higher level activities of the brain involve multiple areas.
Other Areas of the Fore-Brain
The corpus callosum is the area between the two hemispheres of the fore-brain where communications between the two hemispheres occur.
The basal ganglia is located beneath the cortex and is involved with voluntary aspects of muscle function.
The limbic system describes the portion of the brain that lies centrally beneath the cortex and is involved with motives, emotion, complex behaviors and memory. Sections of the limbic system include the hippocampus, amygdala, anterior thalamic nuclei and limbic cortex.
The diencephalon is composed of the thalamus and hypothalamus. These areas are involved with processing sensory information, and controlling survival and autonomic bodily functions, respectively.
References
- "Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice"; Susan Standring (Editor); 2008
