Neuroanatomy of the Brain: Structures, Functions, and Pathways

Cerebrum

Largest part of the brain; responsible for thinking, learning, emotion, sensory processing, and voluntary movement.

Cerebellum

Located under the cerebrum at the back of the brain; coordinates balance, posture, and fine motor control.

Spinal Cord

Connects brain to the rest of the body; transmits nerve signals between brain and body.

Medulla Oblongata

Lowest part of brainstem; controls vital functions like heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure.

Midbrain

Uppermost part of brainstem; controls eye movement and auditory/visual reflexes.

Cerebral Peduncles

Fiber tracts on anterior midbrain; carry motor signals between cerebrum and brainstem.

Corpora Quadrigemina

Four rounded bumps on posterior midbrain; involved in reflexes to visual (superior) and auditory (inferior) stimuli.

Superior Colliculi

Visual reflex centers; track moving objects.

Inferior Colliculi

Auditory reflex centers; respond to sound.

Pituitary Gland

Small endocrine gland under hypothalamus; secretes hormones controlling growth, metabolism, and reproduction.

Olfactory Bulb

Front underside of brain; receives smell input from nasal cavity.

Olfactory Tract

Carries smell signals from olfactory bulbs to cerebrum.

Optic Nerve

Transmits visual information from eyes to optic chiasma.

Optic Chiasma

X-shaped crossing where some optic nerve fibers switch sides.

Optic Tract

Carries visual information from chiasma to occipital lobe.

Cerebral Cortex

Outer gray layer of cerebrum; site of consciousness, reasoning, and sensory interpretation.

Arbor Vitae

White matter of cerebellum shaped like a tree; coordinates muscle movements.

Cerebellar Peduncles

Three fiber tracts connecting cerebellum to brainstem; carry sensory and motor information.

Corpus Callosum

Thick band of white matter connecting left and right hemispheres; allows communication between them.

Thalamus

Central relay station for sensory information going to the cerebral cortex.

Hypothalamus

Below thalamus; regulates hunger, thirst, temperature, hormones, and autonomic functions.

Pineal Gland

Small gland behind thalamus; produces melatonin for sleep regulation.

Lateral Ventricles

Paired chambers within cerebrum; contain CSF.

Third Ventricle

Narrow cavity between thalamic halves; filled with CSF.

Cerebral Aqueduct

Narrow channel through midbrain connecting 3rd and 4th ventricles.

Mammillary Body

Round structure beneath hypothalamus; involved in memory and smell reflexes.

Infundibulum

Stalk connecting hypothalamus to pituitary gland; transmits hormones.

Longitudinal Fissure

Deep groove separating left and right cerebral hemispheres.

Sulcus

Shallow grooves between folds (gyri) of the brain.

gyrus

Raised folds on the brain's surface that increase surface area for neural processing.

Dura Mater

Tough, outer protective layer of meninges.

Arachnoid Mater

Middle, web-like meningeal layer containing cerebrospinal fluid.

Pia Mater

Thin, inner layer that clings tightly to the surface of the brain and spinal cord.

Fourth Ventricle

Cavity between the pons and cerebellum; filled with cerebrospinal fluid.

Fornix

Fiber tract arching below corpus callosum; connects hippocampus and hypothalamus.

Pons

Bridge between medulla and midbrain; assists in regulating respiration.

Choroid Plexus

Network of capillaries in ventricles that produce cerebrospinal fluid.

Intermediate Mass of Thalamus

Small bridge joining the two thalamic halves.

Corpus Callosum (Body, Genu, Rostrum, Splenium)

Large fiber tract connecting left and right cerebral hemispheres; Genu (front), Body (middle), Splenium (back), Rostrum (below front).

Frontal Lobe

Responsible for cognition, reasoning, planning, and voluntary motor function.

Parietal Lobe

Processes sensory input and body awareness; involved in movement coordination.

Temporal Lobe

Handles hearing, language comprehension, and memory.

Occipital Lobe

Main visual processing center.