What Are the Different Parts of the Human Brain?
Vital Organ Responsible for Speech, Sight and Movement
May 20, 2009
Scientists know that the right side of the brain controls the left side of body and vice versa. It only accounts for two percent of the total weight of the human body but it is estimated to have about 100 billion cells. It's the seat of human intelligence, interpreter of the senses and controller of behaviour. For centuries the brain has been viewed with fascination but also with the feeling that the secrets of how it really worked would never be unlocked.
However, thanks to advances in neurological research, that is changing and scientists know more about it than ever. Here's a general overview of the different parts of the human brain and how they function.
The Central Nervous System
The brain is the control tower for the rest of the body. It must be kept quickly informed of what the body needs and what's available in the environment to satisfy those needs. For that purpose the brain must depend on a huge network of wires throughout the body – the nerves. The brain, the spinal cord and the nerves constitute the central nervous system.
The Structure of the Brain
It can be divided into three basic parts: the forebrain, the midbrain and the hindbrain. The hindbrain includes the upper part of the spinal cord, brain stem and the cerebellum. This is responsible for balance, movement and co-ordination. The uppermost part of the brain stem is the midbrain, which controls eye movements and hearing. The forebrain is the largest part of the brain and consists primarily of the cerebrum.
The cerebrum is divided into two halves and sits on the topmost part of the brain. This is where most of somebody's intellectual thoughts are going on. It holds short and long term memories and allows a person to think.
The Four Lobes of the Brain
Each lobe has different functions. They are the frontal lobe, the parietal lobe, the temporal lobe and the occipital lobe. The frontal lobe is the centre of logic and higher reasoning. When somebody plans and/or organizes an event or schedule, the frontal lobe is doing most of the work.
The parietal lobe is associated with sensory perception, especially touch and taste.
The temporal lobe is found on the bottom section of the brain and helps people to distinguish the volume and frequency of sounds. The upper part of this lobe will enable a person to understand the lyrics of a song.
Finally, the occipital lobe receives and processes visual information. This lobe lets people identify colours, shapes and objects.
The Inner Brain
These are the structures that determine emotional states. They modify perceptions and responses depending on that state and let people initiate movements without thinking about them.
- The thalamus – This is the brain's relay information network. It takes in sensory information and then passes those messages to the cerebral cortex.
- The hypothalamus – Located near the pituitary gland, this is similar to a thermostat. If somebody is hot, the hypothalamus tells the body to sweat. It's also an important emotional centre that controls the molecules that cause anger, happiness and excitement.
- The hippocampus – This is part of the limbic system. It plays an important part in recalling distant memories and spatial awareness.
- The amygdala – From the Latin word for almond because it has a similar shape, it has long been associated with emotions like fear and aggression. It is also part of the limbic system and a malfunctioning amygdala has been linked to anxiety, autism and schizophrenia.
Common Brain Disorders
When the brain is not working the way it should many problems can make life difficult. They include Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and muscular dystrophy.
Sources:
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Canadian Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction
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