Parts of the Brain
By: Derrick Yeagle
Subdivided into six
main regions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Midbrain
Pons
Brainstem
Medulla
Diencephalon
Cerebrum
Cerebellum
Brainstem
 Midbrain, Pons, and
Medulla make up
the brainstem
 Brainstem connects to
the spinal cord
 Brainstem contains
neurons that relay
signals from the spinal
cord to the cerebrum and
cerebellum
Midbrain
Within the midbrain, there are cell bodies
containing red nucleus which is for
controlling muscle coordination and
maintains posture
Pons
Contains neurons that relay signals for:
Chewing
sensations to the head and face
Certain respiratory functions
Eye movement
Taste
Salivation
Facial expressions
equilibrium
Medulla
 Contains tracts that travel in both directions
between the brain and spinal cord
 Various nuclei of the medulla transmits nerve
impulses that control:
Heart rate
Constriction
Dilation of blood vessels
Blood pressure
Swallowing
sneezing
Diencephalon
Composed of two major compartments:
Thalamus
Complex of nuclei that facilitate hearing, taste,
vision, sensation, wakefulness, voluntary motor
control
Hypothalamus
Collection of nuclei that controls the autonomic
nervous system, secretion from various glands,
heart rate, movement of food in the intestines, rage,
aggression, body temperature, hunger, thirst, sleep
CEREBRUM
Cerebrum
•
Two Hemispheres
Accounts for approximately 80% of total
mass of the brain
Uppermost 2-to 4-mm layer of the
cerebrum is crammed with cell bodies
and neuroglia, called the cerebral cortex
Cerebral Cortex
 Functions:
Human consciousness
Motor skills
Awareness of subtle variations in the
external environment
Language
Reasoning
Imaginations
 Composed of regions with specific
neuronal responsibilities
Beneath the
cerebral cortex
 Number of different nuclei
 Basal ganglia contain a number of different nuclei
and subdivisions within some of these nuclei:
Caudate nucleus
Putamen
Globus pallidus
Subthalamic nucleus
 Nuclei interconnect with neurons of the cerebral
cortex, thalamus, and hypothalamus and control
involuntary skeletal muscle movements
Other neuronal
structures
 Limbic system
Lies deep within the cerebrum near the diencephalon and
midbrain
 Hipocampus
Component of the limbic system
Contributes to emotional states, such as fear, anger, rage,
pleasure, and sorrow.
Also with learning and memory capabilities
Cerebellum
 Located in lower posterior portion of the brain
 Responsible for responding to signals from muscles,
tendons, joints, and sense organs
 Controls skeletal muscle contractions, coordination,
muscle tone, balance and posture
References
Pasternak,Jack. An Introduction to Human
Genetics. pg. 400-401.