Parts of the brain functions

Thalamus

the brain's sensory switchboard, 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

Hypothalamus

a neural structure lying below the thalamus; directs eating, drinking, body temperature; helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion

Epithalamus

Contains pineal body. Involved in olfactory senses and sleep/wake cycle

pineal body

a structure found between the cerebral hemispheres of vertebrates; secretes melatonin

pituitary gland

The endocrine system's most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands.

optic chiasma

the crossing of the optic nerves from the two eyes at the base of the brain

mammillary body

one of a pair of limbic system structures that are connected to the hippocampus; memory recollection

corpus collosum

the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them

Pons

A brain structure that relays information from the cerebellum to the rest of the brain; assists repiratory function. Produces all unconscious movements

cerebral peduncles

two bulging structures that contain descending pyramidal motor tracts; balance and posture, learning new motor skills

medulla oblongata

Part of the brainstem that controls vital life-sustaining functions such as heartbeat, breathing, blood pressure, and digestion.

cerebellum

A large structure of the hindbrain that controls fine motor skills.

temperal lobe function

hearing, memory

parietal lobe function

somatic sensory processing

frontal lobe function

involved in motor function: problem solving, memory, judgment, impulse control

occipital lobe function

visual processing

precentral gyrus

the strip of frontal cortex, just in front of the central sulcus, that is crucial for motor control

postcentral gyrus

the strip of parietal cortex, just behind the central sulcus, that receives somatosensory information from the entire body

Wernicke's area

controls language reception - a brain area involved in language comprehension and expression; usually in the left temporal lobe

Broca's area

Controls language expression - an area of the frontal lobe, usually in the left hemisphere, that directs the muscle movements involved in speech.