Neuroscience: Brain Structures and Functions for Psychology Students

Hindbrain

The lower part of the brainstem; controls basic life functions like breathing, heart rate, and balance. Includes the medulla, pons, and cerebellum.

Midbrain

A small central part of the brainstem involved in vision, hearing, motor control, sleep/wake, arousal, and temperature regulation.

Forebrain

The largest part of the brain; responsible for complex behaviors, emotions, and cognitive processes. Includes the cerebral cortex and limbic system.

Brainstem

Connects the brain to the spinal cord; controls automatic survival functions. Made of the midbrain, pons, and medulla.

Medulla

Part of the hindbrain/brainstem that controls heart rate, breathing, and reflexes like swallowing and vomiting.

Thalamus

The brain's sensory relay station; directs incoming sensory information (except smell) to the appropriate cortex area.

Reticular Formation

Network of neurons in the brainstem; controls arousal, alertness, and sleep-wake cycles.

Cerebellum

"Little brain" at the back of the brain; coordinates voluntary movement, balance, posture, and motor learning.

Limbic System

A group of structures (including hippocampus, amygdala, hypothalamus) involved in emotions, memory, and drives.

Amygdala

Part of the limbic system; processes emotions such as fear and aggression.

Hypothalamus

Regulates bodily drives (hunger, thirst, sex), body temperature, and the endocrine system via the pituitary gland.

Hippocampus

Part of the limbic system; essential for forming new explicit (long-term) memories.

Cerebral Cortex

Outer layer of the brain; responsible for complex thinking, perception, language, and voluntary movement.

Frontal Lobes

Front part of the cerebral cortex; involved in reasoning, planning, problem-solving, personality, and voluntary movement.

Parietal Lobes

Located at the top/back of the brain; processes sensory information like touch, temperature, and pain.

Occipital Lobes

Back of the brain; responsible for processing visual information.

Temporal Lobes

Sides of the brain; involved in hearing, language comprehension, and memory.

Motor Cortex

Located in the frontal lobes; controls voluntary movements.

Somatosensory Cortex

Located in the parietal lobes; processes sensory input from skin, muscles, and joints.

Association Areas

Areas of the cerebral cortex that integrate information, allowing higher-level functions like thinking, learning, remembering, and speaking.