6/20/12

Summary of the Major Brain Structures

Hindbrain Midbrain
Forebrain
(subcortical structures)
Forebrain
(cerebral cortex)
An area of the brain that
coordinates information coming
into and out of the spinal cord.
The middle and smallest brain region.
It is involved in orientation and
movement
The wrinkled outer portion of the
forebrain, which contains the most
sophisticated brain centers.

The subcortical structures of the forebrain
housed under the cerebral cortex near
the very center of the brain
The wrinkled outer portion of the forebrain,
which contains the most sophisticated
brain centers.

The cerebral cortex is the outermost layer
of the brain, visible to the naked eye




Figure 3.21

Figure 3.15 Figure 3.16 Figure 3.17


Figure 3.20


Figure 3.18 Figure 3.22
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Hindbrain Midbrain Forebrain (subcortical) Forebrain (cortical)
Medulla
Controls vital autonomic life functions
such as breathing, circulation,
digestion and heart rate. The medulla
also controls a number of vital
reflexes, such as swallowing,
coughing, vomiting and sneezing.
Reticular Formation
A network of nerve fibers located in
the center of the medulla that helps
regulate attention, arousal and sleep.
It seems to help filter out unimportant
sensory information.
Cerebellum
A large two-sided hindbrain structure
at the back of the brain responsible for
fine motor skills, muscle coordination
and maintaining posture and
equilibrium. It is involved in the
learning of automatic movements and
motor skills such as typing, or writing.
It tends to fine tune motor
movement. Damage to this region
can result in jerky uncoordinated
movements.
Pons
A hindbrain structure that relays
information from the cerebellum to the
rest of the brain.
Tectum
Orients the individual in the
environment. It receives sensory
information and moves the person
toward that the stimulus.
Tegmentum
A brain structure that is involved in
movement and arousal.
Thalamus
Processes and distributes almost all
of the sensory and motor information
going to and from the cerebral cortex
(smell doesnt go through the
thalamus)
Hypothalamus (under thalamus)
A subcortical structure that regulates
body temperature, hunger, thirst,
sexual behavior, fear and aggression.
The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)
plays a role in regulating daily sleep-
wake cycles and other rhythms of the
body. The hypothalamus produces
both neurotransmitters and hormones
that directly influence the pituitary
gland.
Pituitary gland
The master gland of the bodys
hormone-producing system which
releases hormones that direct the
functions of many other glands in the
body.

Limbic system: a group of forebrain
structures that are involved in
motivation, emotion, learning and
memory.
Hippocampus: A structure critical
for creating new memories and
integrating them into a network of
knowledge.
Amygdala: Has a central role in
many emotional processes,
particularly the formation of
emotional memories.
Basal ganglia: A set of subcortical
structures that directs intentional
movements
Corpus callosum
A thick band of fibers that connect the
two cerebral hemispheres and acts as
a communication link between the
two.
Occipital lobe
An area at the back of each cerebral
hemisphere that is the primary
processing area for visual information.
Parietal lobe
An area on each hemisphere of the
cerebral cortex located above the
temporal lobe that process somatic
sensations including touch,
temperature, pressure and information
from receptors in the muscles and
joints.
Temporal lobe
An area on each hemisphere of the
cerebral cortex near the temples that
is the primary receiving area for
hearing and language.
Frontal lobe
The largest lobe of each cerebral
hemisphere. It has specialized areas
for movement, abstract thinking,
planning, memory and judgment.
Association areas
Areas of the cerebral cortex that are
composed of neurons that help
provide sense and meaning to
information registered in the cortex.