Brain Regions and Structures

hindbrain

contains brainstem structures that direct survival instincts (sleeping, balance, breathing)

midbrain

connects the hindbrain with the forebrain, controls some movement and transmits info that enables our seeing and hearing

fore brain

manages complex cognitive activities, sensory, and associative functions , and voluntary motor activities

Brain stem

central core of the brain, controls survival functions

medulla

brainstem’s base which controls heartbeat and breathing

pons

helps coordinate movements and sleep

thalamus

sensory control center, directs messages to sensory areas in the brain

reticular formation

nerve network that filters information and controls arousal, filters and relays important information

cerebellum

nonverbal and skill learning. Coordinated voluntary movement with the pons.

limbic system

emotions, drives and memory formation

amygdala

linked to emotion

hypothalamus

governs the endocrine system, linked to emotion and reward, and directs several maintenance activities like eating and drinking. Controls pituitary

pituitary

controls hormones

hippocampus

conscious and explicit memories

cerebral cortex

ultimate control and information processing center

corpus callosum

connects the two brain hemispheres

cerebrum

perceiving, thinking, and speaking

fissures

folds

frontal lobes

linguistic processing, muscle movement, higher-order thinking, and functioning

parietal lobes

touch and body position

occipital lobes

from visual fields

temporal lobes

auditory

motor cortex

motor skills and movements

somatosensory cortex

registers and processes body touch and movement sensations

association areas

integrate information involved in higher mental functions such as learning

basal ganglia

coordinates voluntary movements