parts of the brain

Hindbrain

Base of brain; controls basic survival functions like breathing, heartbeat, and balance.

Medulla

Part of hindbrain at the base of the brainstem; regulates heartbeat, breathing, blood pressure.

Thalamus

Sensory 'switchboard' at the top of the brainstem that relays senses except smell to the cortex.

Reticular Formation

Runs through brainstem and midbrain; responsible for arousal, attention, and alertness.

Cerebellum

Located at the back of the brainstem; controls balance, coordination, and implicit memory.

Limbic System

A border area between brainstem and cerebral hemispheres; handles emotion, motivation, and memory.

Amygdala

Almond-shaped structure part of the limbic system; regulates emotions, especially fear and aggression.

Hypothalamus

Located below the thalamus; regulates drives such as hunger and thirst, links nervous and endocrine systems.

Hippocampus

Part of the limbic system located in the temporal lobe; involved in forming new explicit memories.

Frontal Lobe

The front part of the brain associated with planning, judgment, personality, and voluntary movement.

Parietal Lobe

Located at the top/back of the brain; processes touch sensations such as pressure and pain.

Occipital Lobe

Located at the back of the brain; primarily responsible for visual processing.

Temporal Lobe

Located near the sides of the brain; responsible for auditory processing and language comprehension.

Motor Cortex

Located at the rear of the frontal lobe; controls voluntary movements.

Somatosensory Cortex

Located at the front of the parietal lobe; processes sensations of touch.

Association Areas

Regions throughout the cortex; involved in higher-order thinking and problem-solving.

Neurogenesis

The brain's ability to form new neurons, most active in the hippocampus.

Corpus Callosum

A band of neural fibers connecting the left and right hemispheres; enables interhemispheric communication.

Broca’s Area

Located in the left frontal lobe; responsible for speech production.

Wernicke’s Area

Located in the left temporal lobe; responsible for language comprehension.