Parts of the Nervous System

Central Nervous System

The brain and spinal cord make up this nervous system

Brain

The boss of the central nervous system

The Spinal Cord

The messenger of the central nervous system

Peripheral Nervous System

Divided into two major parts (Somatic and Autonomic Nervous System)

Somatic Nervous System

Controls all voluntary movement

Autonomic Nervous System

Maintains homeostasis between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems

Sympathetic Nervous System

Responds in emergencies: fight or flight

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Responds in non emergencies: “rest” and “digest”

Hindbrain (Brain stem, Medulla, Pons, and Cerebellum)

Portion of the brain responsible for the most basic life-support functions, including breathing, respiration, and sleeping

Midbrain (Reticular Formation/ RAS)

Activates the cortex and regulates sleep

Forebrain (Limbic System, thalamus, hypothalamus,
amygdala, cerebrum, cerebral cortex)

The largest and most complex structure of the brain; involved in regulating various bodily functions and most mental activities, including thinking, learning, and memory

Frontal Lobe (organization)

The largest of the lobes, and it is primarily responsible for movement, planning, and judgment. The rear of the lobe includes the motor cortex, which is involved in processing outgoing conscious commands to move muscles. Most of the neurons in the motor cortex are devoted to the areas of the body with the most fun muscle control, such as fingers.

Parietal Lobe (senses)

This lobe processes sensory information that has to do with taste, temperature, and touch.

Temporal Lobe (auditory)

This lobe mainly revolves around hearing and selective learning. It receives sensory information such as sounding speech from the ears. It also is key to be able to comprehend, or understand meaningful speech.

Occipital Lobe

This lobe is responsible for processing visual information from the eyes.

Pons

Sleeping and Dreaming

Cerebellum

Balance and procedural memory. Ex: knowing how to use a fork

Medulla

Controls breathing and heart rate and contains the sensory and motor pathway that connects the brain to the body

Reticular Formation RAS

The part of the brain believed to be the center of arousal and motivation

Limbic System

Emotions

Thalamus

The brain’s switchboard

Amygdala

Fear and anger

Hippocampus

Memory

Hypothalamus

Regulates sex, hunger, and thirst

Cerebral Cortex

Master Brain Part. Shapes behavior and personality. Is theo otter layer of nerve cells covering the cerebrum that is responsible for higher cognitive functions

Corpus Callosum

Thick band of fibers that connects the left and right hemisphere of the brain

Right Hemisphere

Creativity. This hemisphere controls sensory and motor functions on the left side of the body. Spatial and perceptual activity depend more on this hemisphere.

Left Hemisphere

Logic and language. This hemisphere controls the right side the body. Verbal and mathematical abilities depend more on this hemisphere.

Primary Motor Cortex

This is the cortical area that is most responsible for coordination and complex movement

Primary Somatosensory Motor Cortex

Multi sense. This cortical area receives tactile information from the body and processes multi sensory information.

Broca’s Area

Speech production and articulation.

Wernicke’s Area

Language and comprehension

Left Inferior Gyrus

Optimistic area of brain

Right Inferior Gyrus

Pessimistic area of the brain