1.4 The Brain

Brainstem

The oldest part of the brain

Medulla

The base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing.

Pons

Helps coordinate movement and controls sleep.

Reticular Formation

A nerve network that travels through the brainstem and controls arousal.

Cerebellum

The "little brain" at the rear of the brainstem; processes sensory input and coordinates movement and balance.

Limbic System

Neural system located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives.

Amygdala

Two lima bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion

Hypothalamus

A neural structure that regulates bodily maintenance needs and directs endocrine system via the pituitary gland.

Hippocampus

A neural center in the limbic system that helps process explicit memories for storage.

Cerebral Cortex

The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body's ultimate control and information-processing center.

Frontal Lobes

The portion of the cerebral cortex behind the forehead; involved in speaking

Parietal Lobes

The portion of the cerebral cortex at the top of the head; receives sensory input for touch and body position.

Occipital Lobes

The portion of the cerebral cortex at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual fields.

Temporal Lobes

The portion of the cerebral cortex roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas.

Motor Cortex

An area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements.

Somatosensory Cortex

An area at the front of the parietal lobes that processes body touch and movement sensations.

Broca's Area

Controls language expression; usually in the left frontal lobe.

Wernicke's Area

Controls language comprehension; usually in the left temporal lobe.

Corpus Callosum

The large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them.

Neuroplasticity

The brain's ability to change