Brain Structure and Function

Cerebrum

The largest area of the brain responsible for conscious thought and receiving sensory messages from parts of the body. Contains all the lobes.

Cerebellum

Functions include processing sensory input from the eyes and ears for posture, balance, and coordination of movement

Brain Stem

Connects to the spinal cord, and controls/regulates unconscious actions like breathing and heartbeat

Pituitary Gland

Produces essential hormones for everyday living. Releases hormones that control other hormone glands in the body

Hypothalamus

Controls many bodily functions by sending messages for hormones to be released from the pituitary gland

Thalamus

Directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and other parts of the brain

Neuron

The basic unit (cell) of the nervous system, particularly in the brain

Parietal Lobe

A region of the cerebrum whose functions include processing information about touch and pain

Frontal Lobe

A region of the cerebrum that has specialised areas for movement, abstract thinking, planning, memory, and judgement (executive functioning)

Occipital Lobe

A region of the cerebrum that processes visual information

Temporal Lobe

A region of the cerebrum responsible for hearing and language. It also houses areas related to memory and responsive emotions (hippocampus and amygdala, respectively)

Nervous System

A body system consisting of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves in the body

Glial Cell (Glia)

Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons

Blood-Brain Barrier

A protective system that prevents certain molecules from entering the brain, but allows others to cross

Axon

A threadlike extension of a neuron that carries nerve impulses away from the cell body

Soma

The cell body of a neuron, which contains the nucleus

Synapse

A junction where information (electrochemical signals) is transmitted from one neuron to the next.

Myelin

A layer of fatty tissue covering the fibers (axons) of many neurons, which enables faster transmission speed of signals

White Matter

Light-coloured conntective tissue of the brain and spinal cord consisting of the axons of neurons and their myelin sheaths. Connects parts of the brain to each other.

Grey Matter

Tissue in the central nervous system that is abundant in cell bodies of neurons. Responsible for "thoughts" (producing the electrochemicals to transmit).

Limbic System

A system made of several brain parts that is associated with emotions and drives

Dienchephalon

A region at the centre of the brain containing the thalamus and hypothalamus

Hippocampus

A small brain part located in the temporal lobe that helps process and store memories

Neurodivergence

An umbrella term covering all conditions involving the brain working in a different way from the statistical norm

Autism

A condition, present from early childhood, characterised by difficulty in communicating and forming relationships, advanced memory, and focused interest in specific areas

ADHD

A condition marked by some of the following traits: inability to focus, hyperfocus in areas of interest, difficulty organising or planning ahead, chronic lateness, inability to finish tasks, etc.

Dyslexia

A condition marked most obviously by a difficulty reading text

Dementia

A slowly progressive decline in mental abilities, usually in old age, including declines in memory, thinking, judgment, and personality changes