Parts of Brain

Medulla oblongata functions (3):

1. Conducting pathway for ascending + descending nerve tracts

2. Control center for vital organs (regulates HR, respiratory rate, blood vessel diameter)

3. Center for protective reflexes (swallowing, sneezing, vomiting, coughing)

Pons functions (2):

1. Relay center for fibers carrying info from cerebrum to cerebellum

2. Sleep + respiratory center (works with medulla oblongata)

Pons contains nuclei of CNs:

V → VIII

Midbrain contains nuclei of CNs:

III + IV

Midbrain - superior colliculi function:

Reflex response of eye + head in response to stimulus

Midbrain - inferior colliculi function:

Hearing

Reticular formation

Play a role in arousal/maintaining consciousness (visual, acoustic stimuli, and thinking can activate)

Thalamus functions (2):

1. All sensory info except olfaction passes though then relayed to higher center

2. Influences mood and body motions associated with strong emotions

Subthalamus function:

Controlling motor function

Epithalamus functions (3):

1. Role in onset of puberty

2. Possibly involved in sleep/wake cycle

3. Emotional + visceral response to odors

Hypothalamus functions (2):

1. Involved in olfactory reflexes and emotional response to odors

2. Center for basic drives (hunger, thirst, sex), temperature regulation, sleep + dreams

Cerebellum function:

Muscular activity coordination center (body awareness)

Temporal lobe:

hearing + memory

Frontal lobe:

motivation, mood, aggression

Parietal lobe:

sensory information (all except hearing, smelling, and vision)

Occipital lobe:

Reception + integration of visual input