4C. The Brain: Forebrain

Forebrain

Controls higher cognitive functions, sensory processing, and various autonomic functions.

Parts of the forebrain

• Cerebral cortex

• Limbic system

Cerebral cortex

Controls higher-level functions such as memory, reasoning, problem-solving, and sensory perception.

Parts of the cerebral cortex

• Frontal lobe

  • Broca’s Area

  • Motor cortex

• Parietal lobe

• Occipital lobe

• Temporal lobe

  • Wernicke’s Area

Frontal lobe

Controls logic, reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making.

Broca’s Area

Controls speech.

Motor cortex

Controls motor functions.

Parietal lobe

Sense of touch and body awareness.

Occipital lobe

Controls vision.

Temporal lobe

Controls “audio processing.”

Wernicke’s Area

Controls speech recognition.

Limbic system

Regulates emotions, behavior, motivation and memory.

Parts of the limbic system

• Pituitary gland

• Hippocampus

• Hypothalamus

• Amygdala

Pituitary gland

Controls the endocrine system (which regulates the release of hormones).

Hippocampus

Holds the short-term memory and pushes it to long-term memory.

Hypothalamus

Pushes the body to homeostasis.

Amygdala

Controls aggression and fear.

Homeostasis

The state of self-regulation and balance necessary for beings to live.