Structures of brain and their functions.

Medulla oblongata

Relays sensory information to thalamus and to other portions of the brain stem

Medulla oblongata 2

Autonomic centers for regulation of visceral function (cardiovascular, respiratory, and digestive system activities

Pons

Relays sensory information to cerebellum and thalamus

Pons 2

Subconscious somatic and visceral motor centers

Transverse fibers

Interconnect cerebellar hemispheres

Mesencephalon

Processing of visual and auditory data

Mesencephalon 2

Generation of reflexive somatic motor responses

Mesencephalon 3

Maintenance of consciousness

Diencephalon - thalamus

relay and processing centers for sensory information

Diencephalon - Hypothalamus

centers controlling emotions, autonomic functions, and hormone production

Diencephalon - epithalamus

Has pineal gland which secretes melatonin, which helps regulate circadian rhythms

Cerebrum

Conscious thought processes, intellectual functions

Cerebrum

Memory storage and processing

Cerebrum

Conscious and subconscious regulation of skeletal muscle contractions

Cerebellum

Coordinates complex somatic motor patterns

Cerebellum

Adjusts output of other somatic motor centers in brain and spinal cord

Superior Colliculi

controls reflex movements in response to visual stimuli

Inferior colliculi

controls reflex movements in reponse to auditory stimuli

Substantia nigra

reward center

Cerebral peduncle

carry motor tracts from cerebral cortex to rest of body

Lateral geniculate nucleus

Filters out unnecessary visual stimuli

Medial geniculate nucleus

Filters out unecessary auditory stimuli

Infundibulum

Connects the floor of the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland

Mamillary bodies

Controls feeding reflexes such as licking and swallowing