Psych 105: Architecture of the Brain (Hind and Forebrain)

What is the Hindbrain?

The hindbrain is a part of the brain which controls the most basic functions of life.

What does the hindbrain include?

The hindbrain includes the medulla, pons, and cerebellum.

What is the Medulla?

The medulla is region of the brain adjoined to the spinal cord. It controls breathing, heart rate, blood circulation and balance.

What is the Pons?

The pons is a region of the brain located above the medulla, which controls attentiveness and timing of sleep and dreaming.

What is the Cerebellum?

The cerebellum is located behind the pons and medulla, which coordinates movement like posture, balance and coordination.

What is the Forebrain?

The forebrain is the largest part of the brain which is responsible for complex behaviors like sensory perception, voluntary movement and cognitive functions.

What is the forebrain made up of?

The forebrain is made up of brain structures like the Thalamus, Hypothalamus, hippocampus and cerebral cortex.

What is the Thalamus?

The thalamus is a brain structure involved with sleep, wakefulness, relay motor and sensory signals to the cortex.

What is the Hypothalamus?

The hypothalamus is located underneath the thalamus. It is involved with controlling motivated behavior (eating, drinking, sexual activity). As well as involuntary rhythm like sleep/wake cycles and detecting when the body is either too hot or cold.

What is the Amygdala?

The amygdala plays a major role in emotional response (specifically anger). The amygdala determines wether a stimulus is a threat or not and predict when something frightening is going to occur.

What is the hippocampus?

The hippocampus plays a role is learning, memory, spacial orientation and creating new memories.

What is the Cerebral Cortex?

The cerebral cortex is involved in every thought and perception as well as ability to produce and instance language. It’s also involved with constructing and experiencing emotion, it’s also crucial in order to believe, organize, remember and hope.