parts of the brain definitions

function + location

cerebral cortex

• outer layer of brain (gray matter)

• executive functions, judgement, emotions, personality, planning

thalamus

• inside the brain, middle

• relay station of all incoming motor & sensory info, ur 5 (except smell) senses are processed here

corpus callosum

• middle of the brain

• ensures both sides of the brain can communicate & send signals to each other

hypothalamus

• below thalamus

• maintains homeostasis, regulating internal body conditions via temp. hunger, thirst

hippocampus

• embedded in temporal lobe

• memory, learning, emotion. Holds short-term memories and transfers them to long-term memories

pituitary gland

• below corpus & hypothalamus

• regulates growth, metabolism, reproduction, makes hormones

midbrain

• top of brain stem

• motor control (like auditory & visual movements), sleep/wake cycle, alertness, temp regulation

pons

• 2nd lowest part of brainstem

• links brain to spinal cord, sleep cycle, pain signals, works with other brain parts (g. parts of brainstem to manage breathing)

medulla

• under pons

• heart circulation, breathing, automatic processes, connects nerves, crossover point (movement-related nerves in your body crisscross)

brainstem

• has: midbrain, pons, medulla

• above spinal cord

• does whatever those parts do (balance, BP, eye movements, breathing, heart rate, taste)

spinal cord

• under brainstem

• motor commands from brain to body, sensory info from body to brain, coordinate reflexes

cerebellum

• in hindbrain

• coordinate eye movements, motor learning, keep upright & steady, speech & language processing