STRUCTURES OF THE BRAIN – Diagram 1
Reticular Formation
STRUCTURES OF THE BRAIN – Diagram 2
Older Brain Structures
Brainstem the oldest part of the brain, beginning
where the spinal cord swells and enters the skull.
Responsible for automatic survival functions.
Brain Stem
Medulla: base of the
brainstem, controls vital
functions like heartbeat and
breathing.
Reticular Formation: a nerve
network in the brainstem that
plays an important role in
controlling arousal & involved
in attention and sleep
(filtering out stimuli)
Brain Stem
Thalamus: the brain’s sensory
switchboard --directs messages
to the sensory areas in the cortex
and transmits replies to the
cerebellum and medulla.
Pons: bridge between the brain
and spinal cord (especially
dealing with motor messages)
and/or sleeping (sleep cycle)
Cerebellum
The “little brain”
attached to the rear of
the brainstem.
It helps coordinate
voluntary movements
and balance.
The Limbic System
Limbic System a
doughnut-shaped system
of neural structures at the
border of the brainstem
and cerebrum, associated
with emotions such as
fear, aggression and
drives for food and sex. It
includes the
hippocampus, amygdala,
and hypothalamus.
Limbic System
Amygdala: two almondshaped neural clusters
linked to emotion of fear
and anger.
Hippocampus: two fingerlike structures attached to
amygdala involved in
processing (new)
memories
Limbic System
Hypothalamus: lies below
(hypo) the thalamus; directs
several maintenance
activities like eating,
drinking, body temperature,
and sex. Helps govern the
endocrine system via the
pituitary gland.
Ventromedial – “vomit” – tells you when to STOP eating
Lateral – “let’s eat” – tell you when you are hungry
The Cerebral Cortex
The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells that
covers the cerebral hemispheres. The body’s ultimate
control and information processing center (higher order
thoughts).
Corpus callosum: band
of nerves that connect
the two cortical
hemispheres & carries
messages between them