The Brain

Keywords

Brain, forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain, medulla, frontal lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe, occipital lobe, neural pathways, cerebellum, cerebral cortex, grey matter, white matter.

Introduction

The brain is a major part of our body. We still don't know everything about it, but it provides us with life. It helps us move. It controls what we say. It helps us to feel. It interacts with all of our senses, organs and appendages. It's really quite remarkable.

But, how?

Take a Closer Look

The brain is generally divided into three main sections - the forebrain, the midbrain, and the hindbrain.

The forebrain: this part is at the very front of the brain. It includes the cerebrum, which is made up of both grey matter, and white matter. This grey matter is called the cerebral cortex (cortex is Latin, meaning 'bark'), and the white matter connects two parts of the cortex with a C-shaped structure.

The midbrain: otherwise known as the brainstem, the midbrain comprises a very complex structure of different neuron clusters, neural pathways and other structures. Kind of like a giant mass of motorways joining together, or a collection of rail lines merging. The pons, another part in the midbrain allows us to a range of activities, from tear production, blinking, chewing, focusing vision, balance, hearing and facial expressions.

The medulla is situated at the bottom of the brainstem. This is where the brain meets the spinal cord. It is essential for our survival. The medulla serves to regulate activities such as heart rhythm, breathing, blood flow and oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. It also produces reflexive activities such when we sneeze, swallow a food parcel, or coughing.

The hindbrain: at the back of the brain, the cerebellum is about the size of your fist. It is situated just above the brainstem, and has two sections like the cerebral cortex. The outer part contains neurons, and the inner part interacts with the cerebral cortex. The function of the cerebellum is to coordinate voluntary muscle movements, maintain posture, balance and equilibrium (the state of rest).

Interesting fact: the human brain is the fattiest part of our body. Over 60% of it is made of fat out of a total 3kg of weight.

Other Parts of the Brain

There are four different lobes in the brain. They comprise:

Frontal lobe: by it's name, the frontal lobe is situated at the front of the brain. This part of the brain deals with personality characteristics, decision-making and movement. The frontal lobe also works with our ability to speak, and recognition of smells.

Parietal lobe: in the middle area of the brain is the parietal lobe. This functions to help us identify objects and gives us the ability of hand-to-eye coordination - it lets us be aware of spatial objects around us. The parietal lobe also deals with pain receptors, and the sense of touch in the body. It too helps with the spoken word, this time when we receive spoken word - when someone talks to us, the parietal lobe helps us understand it.

Occipital lobe: the back part of the brain that helps with our vision and the eyes.

Temporal lobe: each side of the brain houses the temporal lobe. This lobe helps us with our short-term memory, speech, muscial rhythm and part of our sense of smell.

Extended Look

There are even more parts of the brain that have not been mentioned, until now. Let's take a look at how the brain is broken down:

Cerebrum

The cerebrum is located across the majority of the brain. When you look at a picture of the brain, that shape we all know is what the cerebrum is. But what does it do? Well, it is primarily made up of grey matter around the edges of it, with white matter in the middle. The actual function of the cerebrum allows us to think, learn, keep memory, use our language (or languages if you're lucky enough), deal with our emotions, allow for movement, and perception.

Cerebellum

Directly under the cerebrum is the cerebellum. It is about the size of your fist, and it helps to regulate motor behaviours (movement), particularly automatic movements. Not only does it do this, but it allows us to maintain correct posture, balance and also recently has been linked to our understanding and learning.

An interesting note on the cerebellum; although it is only about the size of 10% of the brain, it holds more neurons (nerve cells) than any other part of the brain.

Brainstem

The brainstem is situated at the bottom of the brain, and connects directly to the spinal cord. It acts as a pathway, or relay station between these two areas. It's function is to help us regulate sleep, breathing, body temperature and other functions such as digestion, coughing and sneezing.

Thalamus/Hypothalamus

The thalamus interacts with relaying sensory information, which contributes to many processes, including perception, attention, timing and movement. The hypothalamus modulates a range of behavioural and physiological functions such as hunger, thirst, body temperature and sexual activity. Through these functions, it integrates information from different parts of the brain, and automatically responds to things like light intensity, smells and also stress.

Pons

Part of the brainstem, the pons acts as a bridge. It allows neural pathways to reach their destination. This in turn enables your body to move, and do all the things necessary.

Medulla

The medulla, also called the medulla oblongata, is a collective name for the medulla, pons and midbrain, and is situated at the lowest point of the brain. It allows the relay of electrical signals to be passed from the spinal cord to the brain and back again.