The brain is divided into three parts: hindbrain, midbrain, and forebrain. The hindbrain is the most primitive part and is responsible for our basic life
functioning needs such as heartbeat, digestion, arousal, balance/coordination. The midbrain transmits signals from the hindbrain to the forebrain, and helps
process information relating to our senses. The forebrain, is the most complex and includes brain structures to help regulate emotions, hunger, formation of
long-term memories, growth hormones, and smell.
LOCATION OF BRAIN
STRUCTURE
BRAIN STRUCTURE
FUNCTION
Medulla Oblongata
Automatically controls basic life
support functions (respiration,
digestion, heartbeat, and blood
pressure)
You “gata” have the medulla to
survive.
Pons
Relays information between the
cerebellum and the cerebrum (brain)
The pons ponders what information
to send to the brain and the
cerebellum.
Reticular Formation
Regulates alertness and arousal
levels, damaging this area results in
a coma
The reticular formation regulates our
alertness.
Cerebellum
Aids in balance and coordination of
movement
Sounds like “Sarah balances”.
Brain Stem
Lower part of the brain that connects
to the spinal cord to send and receive
information.
Think of the stem of a piece of
broccoli; it connects the stalk to the
rest of the broccoli.
Striatum
Controls smooth body movements
Think of a tightrope walker, who
must walk a straight line.
Thalamus
Serves a switchboard that relays
information to the appropriate area
of the brain for processing; does not
process the sense of smell
Fifty years ago, an operator would
connect the phone call to the house a
person was trying to call. This is
what the thalamus does.
Hypothalamus
Regulates hunger, thirst, fight or
flight response, sex drive, body
temperature, maintains homeostasis
Remember the 4 F’s: fight, flight,
food, fornication, and temperature.
Amygdala
Associated with fear and aggression
Don’t get Amy mad.
Hippocampus
Controls the formation of new
explicit memories, has the largest
concentration of acetylcholine
(remember that Alzheimer’s disease
is caused by an absence of Ach)
Elephants have good memories-well,
so do hippos!
Olfactory bulb
Structure that transmits smell from
the nose to the brain
Remember, old factories smell!
Pituitary gland
Known as the “master gland”,
responsible for the production and
distribution of hormones throughout
the body
The pit of a cherry contains
information that allows the cherry to
grow.
HINDBRAIN
(Reticular Activating System)
MIDBRAIN
FORBRAIN
HOW TO REMEMBER