The human body is amazingly complicated, and much of the way it works is a mystery. At the core of all the complex bodily systems is the brain, which controls all the actions and processes of the body. The brain contains several specific regions, all of which are responsible for different abilities and actions.
The Brain Stem
The brain stem is found at the base of the brain and connects the brain and the spinal cord, states the Mayo Clinic. This region of the brain is responsible for all the most basic survival functions. The brain stem is where the digestion and waste elimination processes originate. This area of the brain is also responsible for regulating the heartbeat, the respiratory rate, blood vessels, blood circulation and, even, eye muscle reflexes. The brain stem is often called the primitive region of the brain, as much of what makes someone human is what originates in this area of the brain.
The Limbic System
The limbic system is the portion of the brain that is most known for controlling emotions and allowing for what are known as human responses to people, places and situations. The limbic system is made up of a few other parts, including the hypothalamus, the thalamus, the amygdale and the hippocampus. The thalamus helps with sensory and motor functions. The hypothalamus helps with the coordination of the central nervous system and is also responsible for sleep rhythms and hormone release via the pituitary gland. The amygdale is responsible for memory and human emotion. The hippocampus is responsible for and aids in memory, instinct, mood and learning. It is also essential for short-term memory and spatial relationships.
The Cerebral Cortex
This is the largest region of the brain and contains a very large amount of gray matter, which is tissue that is made up of nerve cell bodies. The cerebral cortex is known as the intellectual center of the brain, where higher function takes place. The cerebral cortex is responsible for thinking, processing language and performing desired or necessary actions. There are four areas of the cerebral cortex: the frontal lobe, the parietal lobe, the occipital lobe and the temporal lobe. Each of these regions comes together to allow for problem solving, reasoning, speech, planning, recognition, orientation, visual processing, hearing and memory.
The Pituitary Gland
This is a very small gland in the brain that is quite significant despite its pea-shaped size. It is responsible for regulating the endocrine system, which controls the production of hormones for the human body. The pituitary gland actually has two parts, both of which make different hormones and chemicals that aid in metabolism, mood, growth and reproduction.
The Cerebellum
According to the National Institutes of Health, the cerebellum is the region of the brain that is located in the back of the brain, above the brain stem. This is an important part of the brain, as it helps with coordination and movement. It is particularly responsible for learned physical movements of the arms and legs. This is the part of the brain that controls the ability for the body to be in motion, regulates repetitive movements and, even, helps with balance, posture and motor skills.
References
- National Institutes of Health: The Brain: Understanding Neurobiology
- "Mayo Clinic Family Health Book"; Mayo Clinic; 1996
