The brain and its regions
Different parts of the brain specialise in different jobs, yet they work together constantly.
Hindbrain and midbrain
The hindbrain includes the medulla, which controls automatic functions like breathing and heart rate; the pons, which connects brain regions and helps regulate sleep; and the cerebellum, which coordinates balance and fine movement. The midbrain includes the reticular formation, which regulates alertness.
The forebrain
The forebrain includes the cerebral cortex, the brain's wrinkled outer layer, divided into four lobes. The frontal lobe handles planning, decision-making, and movement; it contains Broca's area, important for producing speech. The parietal lobe processes touch, the temporal lobe hearing and language comprehension (including Wernicke's area), and the occipital lobe vision.
The limbic system and hemispheres
The limbic system, involved in emotion and memory, includes the amygdala (fear and emotional responses) and the hippocampus (forming new memories). The hypothalamus regulates hunger, thirst, temperature, and hormones. The brain's two hemispheres are connected by the corpus callosum; split-brain studies showed that each hemisphere has some specialised abilities.
Flashcard
The outer layer of the brain responsible for higher functions
Check your understanding
After a stroke, a patient understands speech but struggles to produce words. Which area was most likely damaged?