Brain

Brain Stem

The part of the brain that connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord, consisting of the medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain.

Medulla Oblongata

Located superior to the spinal cord; controls breathing and cardiovascular function.

Pons

Located superior to the medulla; contains areas associated with breathing and head movements.

Midbrain

Located between the pons and diencephalon; acts as a relay station for visual, auditory, and tactile responses.

Cerebellum

Coordinates muscle activity, balance, and posture; located posterior and inferior in the brain.

Diencephalon

A region of the brain that consists of the thalamus and hypothalamus; involved in sensory relay and autonomic functions.

Thalamus

A part of the diencephalon that acts as a relay station for sensory information.

Hypothalamus

Located below the thalamus; regulates endocrine functions, temperature, hunger, and autonomic nervous system.

Epithalamus

The dorsal portion of the diencephalon that contains the pineal gland, which secretes melatonin.

Cerebrum

The largest part of the brain, responsible for higher brain functions including thought, action, and sensory processing.

Cerebral Cortex (Gray Matter)

The outer layer of the cerebrum; responsible for conscious thought and processes.

Frontal Lobe

Responsible for motor function, speech production (Broca’s area), and voluntary movements.

Temporal Lobe

Handles auditory processing (primary auditory cortex) and language comprehension (Wernicke’s area).

Parietal Lobe

Involved in sensory processing and integration, including touch, temperature, and pain.

Occipital Lobe

The visual processing center of the brain; contains the primary visual cortex.

Cranial Nerves

12 pairs of nerves that emerge from the brain and brainstem, mainly responsible for sensory and motor functions of the head and neck.

EEG (Electroencephalogram)

A test that records the electrical activity of the brain to assess brain function.

Alpha waves

Brain waves that indicate a low amplitude, regular rhythm; associated with relaxed wakefulness.

Beta waves

High frequency brain waves; associated with alertness and active thinking.

Theta waves

Irregular low frequency waves; commonly seen in children and during sleep.

Delta waves

High amplitude, low frequency brain waves; associated with deep sleep.

Corpus Callosum

A large bundle of commissural fibers that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain.

Basal Ganglia (Basal Nuclei)

Groups of nuclei situated deep in the white matter; involved in the regulation of voluntary motor movements.

Sulci and Gyri

Sulci (grooves) and gyri (folds) are features of the cerebral cortex that increase the surface area.

Cerebral Peduncle

Part of the midbrain that connects the cerebrum to the brainstem.

Corpora Quadrigemina

A portion of the midbrain that contains reflex centers for visual and auditory stimuli.

Significance of Substantia Nigra

Contains melanin and is involved in the production of dopamine; its degeneration is associated with Parkinson’s disease.

Lateralization of Brain Function

The tendency for some neural functions to be more dominant in one hemisphere than the other.

Right Hemisphere Functions

Associated with creativity, music, art, and emotional expression.

Left Hemisphere Functions

Associated with logic, reasoning, language, and analytical thinking.

Pituitary Gland

An endocrine gland connected to the hypothalamus; regulates hormone release.

Melatonin

A hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles, secreted by the pineal gland.

Visual Association Area

Part of the occipital lobe that processes visual information and attaches meaning to it.