brain anatomy: functions

cerebrum

processes conscious thoughts and sensations

precentral gyrus

contains primary motor cortex

postcentral gyrus

contains the primary sensory cortex

frontal lobe

controls voluntary skeletal muscle movement

parietal lobe

processes general senses

occipital lobe

processes vision

temporal lobe

processes hearing and equilibrium

cerebellum

monitors and controls proprioception

proprioception

body’s ability to know what position it’s in; coordination

olfactory bulb

transmits olfactory information to the brain

olfactory tract

transmits olfactory information to the brain

optic nerve

transmits visual information to the brain

optic chiasm

transmits visual information to the brain

corpus callosum

allows communication between left and right cerebral hemisphere

midbrain

keeps cerebrum in state of wakefulness

midbrain

controls visual and auditory reflexes

pons

has areas that control respiration

medulla oblongota

contains control centers for heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure

superior colliculi

located in midbrain; contains reflex centers for vision

inferior colliculi

located in the midbrain; contains reflex centers for hearing

fornix

contains nerve tracts dealing with olfaction

mammillary body

contains centers for feeding and memory

thalamus

processes and sends sensory information to cerebrum

hypothalamus

hormone function

pituitary gland

secretes hormones that control many organ systems

pineal gland

secretes melatonin

choroid plexus

produces cerebrospinal fluid

cerebral aqueduct

helps with circulating cerebrospinal fluid

fourth ventricle

contains cerebrospinal fluid