The human brain receives and processes information from the five senses of sight, smell, touch, taste, and hearing. The brain guides thinking, memory, speaking, movement and organ function, says the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS). Brain tissue includes nerve cells, which send and receive electrical impulses, and glial cells, which nourish the brain and form the fatty material that insulates the nerves and speeds transmission of nerve impulses. The cerebrum, the cerebellum and the brain stem are the three parts of the brain.
Cerebrum
The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain, and a groove separates it into the right and left cerebral hemispheres. Each hemisphere has four distinct regions or lobes, says the AANS. The frontal lobes are behind the forehead, and they are the centers for voluntary muscle movement, speech, intellect and behavior. The occipital lobes lie at the back of the brain, and they serve to process visual information. The parietal lobes lie at the top of the cerebrum, and they play a role in integrating sensory information to give a person a sense of spatial orientation. The temporal lobes are at the sides of the cerebrum at ear level. They are important for visual and verbal memory, says the AANS. A person's ability to recognize faces and understand language is based in the temporal lobes.
Brain Stem
The brain stem is the lower extension of the brain, and it is the connection between the brain and the spinal cord. It is a conduit for the transmission of messages from the cerebrum to various parts of the body, according to the AANS. The brain stem controls eye and facial movements and has a role in hearing and balance. The most important function of the brain stem is its role in controlling breathing, heart rhythm, blood pressure and swallowing. Damage to the brain stem can lead to "brain death," according to the AANS.
Cerebellum
According to the University of Virginia Health System, the cerebellum occupies a space at the back of the head beneath the occipital lobes. The cerebellum plays a role in the maintenance of posture, balance, and equilibrium and in the coordination of voluntary muscle movements.
