MA 301 CHAPTER 29 HEAD ANATOMY

Cerebellum

A structure of the brain that controls balance and coordination.

Cerebrum

The largest part of the brain, responsible for higher brain functions like thought and action.

Brainstem

The part of the brain that connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord and controls basic life functions.

Thalamus

A brain structure that acts as a relay station for sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex.

Hypothalamus

A region of the brain that controls bodily functions such as temperature regulation and hunger.

Pons

A structure in the brainstem that connects different parts of the brain and is involved in regulating sleep and arousal.

Midbrain

A portion of the brainstem that is involved in vision, hearing, and motor control.

Diencephalon

A part of the forebrain that includes the thalamus and hypothalamus.

Pituitary gland

The master gland that controls other endocrine glands and regulates important functions such as growth and metabolism.

Inferior colliculus

A part of the midbrain involved in auditory processing.

Pineal gland

A small endocrine gland that produces melatonin, which affects sleep patterns.

Infundibulum

The stalk that connects the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland.

Temporal lobe

A region of the brain involved in processing auditory information and encoding memory.

Parietal lobe

A region of the brain that processes sensory information related to touch, temperature, and pain.

Occipital lobe

The region of the brain that is responsible for visual processing.

Corpus callosum

A thick band of nerve fibers that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain.

Cingulate gyrus

Part of the brain involved in emotion formation and processing.

Fornix

A C-shaped bundle of fibers in the brain that carries signals from the hippocampus to the mammillary bodies.

Medulla oblongata

The part of the brainstem that controls vital functions, such as breathing and heart rate.

Fourth ventricle

A cavity in the brain that contains cerebrospinal fluid.

Septum pellucidum

A thin membrane in the brain that separates the lateral ventricles.

Third ventricle

A narrow cavity within the brain that contains cerebrospinal fluid.

Cerebral aqueduct

A narrow passage connecting the third and fourth ventricles of the brain.