Older brain structures

Brain stem

oldest, intermost region

responsible for automatic survival responses

crossover point

made up of medulla and pons

medulla

base of brainstem

controls heartbeat and breathing

pons

just above medulla

helps coordinate movement and control sleep

thalmus

sensory control, receives all senses except smell

sends info to the higher brain

cerebellum

“little brain”

processing sensory input

coordinating movement output

balance

enables nonverbal learning and memory

limbic system

neural system located below cerebral hemispheres

associated with emotions and feelings and drives

contains the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, amygdala, and hippocampus