The Brain

Hindbrain, midbrain and forebrain

Located at the base of the brain, near back of skull. Brain stem.

Responsible for lower-brain functions such as: control of basic autonomic survival function. coordination of voluntary muscle movements.

Main parts include: medulla and cerebellum.

Located at the base of the brain stem in front of cerebellum.

Relays information between the spinal cord and brain. Regulates viral involuntary bodily functions.

Located at rear of brain stem beneath occipital and temporal lobes.

Helps coordinate voluntary movement, relays motor information.

Small area in middle of the brain, connects hindbrain and forebrain.

Processes information related to hearing, vision, movement, pain, sleep and arousal. Keeps up alert and attentive.

Main parts include: the reticular formation.

No distinct location, spans from lower part of medulla to upper part of midbrain.

Bombards brain with important sensory information, which keeps cerebral cortex active.

Located above the midbrain towards the top of the brain. Largest most complex and highly developed region of the brain.

Responsible for our most complex processes.

Main parts include: hypothalamus and thalamus.

Located below the thalamus.

Maintains homeostasis. Regulates the release of hormones that help achieve homeostasis. Connects NS to endocrine system.

Located above hypothalamus, consists of two small egg-shaped structures (thalami), that are found in centre of the brain.

Relay system for sensory messages going towards the cerebral cortex. Conducts motor signals.

Lies over and around most brain structures. It is responsible for our most complex processes.

The outer layer, or surface, of the cerebrum.

Controls the functions of the right side of the body and is responsible for the verbal and analytical functions.

The ability to communicate our awareness using spoken or written language depends on left hemisphere function.

Breaks information into parts and processes is sequentially. Focuses on small details. Involved in a person having superior ability to math, judging time and rhythm and coordinating movements.

Controls the functions of the left side of the body and is responsible for the non-verbal functions, which are:

• information processing

• non-verbal communication

• spatial skills

Processes information simultaneously and holistically. Involved in a person having superior ability at assembling pieces of information.

More dominant in detecting emotion non-verbally. Contributes to the understanding of language.

Right hemisphere is dominant in spatial and visual skills such as recognising patterns and faces. Creative side of the brain.

How each side (hemisphere) of the brain controls the opposing side of the body.

The thick bundle of nerve fibres that connect your left and right hemispheres.

Found deep inside the centre of the brain and ensures both sides of the brain can communicate with each other.

Frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal.

Pre-frontal cortex, primary motor cortex, broca’s area (only in the left frontal lobe).

Higher level cognitive functions (planning, decision making, problem solving etc.)

Predicts possible consequences of actions using memory to control responses.

Work with the amyglala and hippocampus to regulate emotions.

Controls voluntary movement of skeletal muscles.

Left PMC controls right side of body.

Right PMC controls left side of body.

Controls production of articulate speech.

Controlling the muscles in jaw, cheeks, lips, tongue and even diaphragm that produce the words.

Damage = broca’s aphasia (unable to produce clear and articulate speech).

Primary sensory cortex.

Also called somatosensory cortex.

Processes and register’s sensations detected by sensory receptors.

A strip of neurons located at the front of the parietal lobe.

Primary visual cortex.

Registers and processes visual information transmitted from the retinas of your eyes.

Specialised neurons in association areas select and integrate information from the primary visual cortex, and send visual information to other brain lobes.

Primary auditory cortex, wernicke’s area.

Registers and processes auditory information received by the ears.

Primary auditory cortex in the right temporal lobe specialises in processing non-verbal sounds.

Primary auditory cortex in the left temporal lobe specialises in processing verbal sounds.

It identifies sounds as words so their meaning can be understood.

It accesses words stored in memory so it controls comprehension of speech and the formulation of meaningful sentences.

Electroencephalogram, computer tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Technique involving electrical activity. Measures the electrical activity of the brain (brain waves) using small metal discs (electrodes) that are attached to the scalp.

Technique involving radiation. CT scans are x-rays of the brain that produce an image of the brain structure.

Technique involving magnetic fields. MRI scans use strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce a detailed image of the brain structure.

Technique involving magnetic fields. A specialised form of MRI. Used to examine the brain’s functional anatomy, meaning the part of the brain that handles critical functions.