Brain Functions

1. Limbic System

The limbic system controls emotions, memory, and motivation. It includes the hippocampus (memory), amygdala (emotions), and hypothalamus (body functions like hunger and hormones).
Thalamus – A relay station in the brain that processes and sends sensory information (except smell) to the cerebral cortex.

Hypothalamus – A small but crucial part of the brain that controls body functions like hunger, thirst, temperature, and hormone release.

Hippocampus – A brain structure involved in forming and storing long-term memories and learning.

Cerebellum – A structure at the back of the brain that helps coordinate movement, balance, and posture.

2. Cerebral Cortex

The cerebral cortex is the brain's outer layer that handles thinking, language, senses, and voluntary movements. It’s divided into four main parts: frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes.

1. Frontal Lobe

Located at the front of the brain.

Controls thinking, decision-making, problem-solving, and voluntary movements.

Includes the motor cortex (controls movement) and Broca’s area (speech production).

2. Parietal Lobe

Located at the top and middle of the brain.

Processes touch, temperature, pain, and spatial awareness.

Contains the somatosensory cortex, which interprets sensory information from the body.

3. Temporal Lobe

Located on the sides of the brain, near the ears.

Handles hearing, memory, and language comprehension.

Includes Wernicke’s area, which helps in understanding speech.

4. Occipital Lobe

Located at the back of the brain.

Processes visual information from the eyes.

Contains the primary visual cortex, which interprets images.

Visual Cortex – Processes visual information, including colors, shapes, and motion.

Motor Cortex – Controls voluntary movements of the body.

Broca’s Area – Responsible for speech production (mainly in the left hemisphere).
Somatosensory Cortex – Processes touch, temperature, pain, and body position.

3. Brainstem

The brainstem connects the brain to the spinal cord and controls basic functions like breathing, heartbeat, and blood pressure. It includes the midbrain, pons, and medulla.

Pons – A part of the brainstem that helps control breathing, sleep, and communication between different brain regions.

Medulla Oblongata – The lowest part of the brainstem that controls vital functions like heartbeat, breathing, and blood pressure.

Reticular Formation – A network of nerves in the brainstem that regulates alertness, sleep, and consciousness.