1.4b

Hindbrain

Consists of the medulla, pons, and cerebellum, directs essential surgical functions such as breathing, sleeping and wakefulness as well as coordination and balance.

Midbrain

Found atop the brainstem, connects the hindbrain with the forebrain controls some motor movement and transmits auditory and visual information.

Forebrain

Consists of the cerebral cortex, thalamus, and hypothalamus; manages complex cognitive activities, sensory and associative functions, and voluntary motor activities.

Brainstem

The central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for automatic survival functions.

Medulla

The hindbrain structure that is the brainstem's base; controls heartbeat and breathing.

Thalamus

The forebrain's sensory control center, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla.

Reticular formation

A nerve network that travels through the brainstem into the thalamus; it filters information and plays an important role in controlling arousal.

Cerebellum

The hindbrain's 'little brain' at the rear of the brainstem; its functions include processing sensory input, coordinating movement output and balance, and enabling nonverbal learning and memory.

Limbic system

Neural system located mostly in the forebrain — below the cerebral hemispheres — that includes the amygdala, hypothalamus, hippocampus, thalamus, and pituitary gland; associated with emotions and drives.

Amygdala

Two lima bean sized neural clusters in the limbic system, linked to emotion.

Hypothalamus

A limbic system neural structure lying below (hypo) the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system, and is linked to emotion and reward.

Hippocampus

A neural center in the limbic system that helps process explicit memories of facts and events for storage.

Cerebral cortex

The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the forebrain's cerebral hemisphere the body's ultimate control and information processing center.

Frontal lobes

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead. They enable linguistic processing muscle movements, higher-order thinking, and executive functioning (such as making plans and judgments).

Parietal lobes

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; it receives sensory input for touch and body position.

Occipital lobes

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; it includes areas that receive information from the visual fields.

Temporal lobes

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; it includes the auditory areas, each of which receives information primarily from the opposite ear. They also enable language processing.

Motor cortex

A cerebral cortex area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements.

Somatosensory cortex

Cerebral cortex area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations.

Association areas

Areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions, but rather are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking.