Functions of the Brain

Cerebrum

Processes memory, speech, the senses, and some emotional responses

Cerebral Cortex

Interprets sensory input, controls skilled skeletal muscle movements, and is involved in emotional and intellectual processes

Cerebellum

Smooths and coordinates skilled skeletal muscle movement; also posture and balance or equilibrium

Brain Stem

Controls blood pressure, respiration, and survival responses (ie "fight of flight" responses)

Diencephalon

Sensory function, food intake control, body's ability to sleep

Thalamus

Relays all sensory input to the cerebral cortex; involved in skeletal muscle actions and memory processing

Hypothalamus

Controls and integrates the autonomic nervous system; regulates hormones, emotional behavior, temperature, eating and drinking behavior

Superior Colliculus

Receives visual signals from retina; orientation of eyes & head

Inferior Colliculus

Auditory center, integration of hearing reflexes

Medulla Oblongata

Contains cardiac, vasomotor, & respiratory control centers

Pons

Helps control breathing; conducts impulses to and from the cerebellum, midbrain, and medulla

Pineal Body

Secretes hormones like melatonin to help with sleep

Mammilary Body

Processes recognitional memory; helps with chewing, swallowing, licking, eating

Fourth Ventricle

Protects human brain from trauma, helps form central canal

Cerebral Aqueduct

Ensures flow of CSF, connects ventricles 3 &4

Lateral Ventricles (1 & 2)

Protection of brain from trauma, circulates CSF

Fornix

Connects the hippocampus to the hypothalamus

Longitudinal Fissure

Separates left & right hemisphere

Transverse Fissure

Separates the cerebellum from the cerebrum

Corpus Callosum

Allows communication between the right and left side of the brain

Precentral Gyrus

Primary motor area, controls the voluntary movements of skeletal muscles

Postcentral Gyrus

Location of the primary somatosensory cortex, the main sensory receptive area for the sense of touch

Central Sulcus

Separates the parietal lobe from the frontal lobe and the primary motor cortex from the primary somatosensory cortex

Temporal Lobe

Deals with hearing, speech, memory, and behavior

Frontal Lobe

Deals with planning, reasoning, impulse control, and personality

Parietal Lobe

Orientation of body, perception of stimuli

Occipital Lobe

Visual reception, stimulation, & association

Broca's Speech Area

Deals with speech

Wernicke's Area

Helps understand spoken language