Summary of the Major Brain Structures

Brain Stem Forebrain Hindbrain Midbrain Cerebral Cortex Limbic System A region at the base of the brain that The middle and smallest brain The wrinkled outer potion of the A group of forebrain structures that contains several structures that region, involved with processing forebrain, which contains the most form a border around the brainstem regulate basic life functions. auditory and visual sensory sophisticated brain centers. and are involved in emotion, information. motivation, learning and memory.

Figure 2.13 Figure 2.13 Figure 2.15 (left), page 66 (right) Figure 2.18

Figure 2.16

Figure 2.17 10/1/18 Summary of the Major Brain Structures

Brain stem Forebrain

Hindbrain Midbrain Cerebral Cortex Limbic System • Medulla: A hindbrain structure • Substantia nigra: An area of • Corpus Callosum: A thick band • Hippocampus: A curved that controls vital life functions the midbrain that is involved in of axons that connects the two forebrain structure that is part such as breathing and motor control and contains a cerebral hemispheres and acts of the limbic system and is circulation. large concentration of as a communication link involved in learning and • Pons: A hindbrain structure dopamine-producing neurons. between them. forming new memories. that connects the medulla to • Temporal Lobe: An area on • Thalamus: A forebrain the two sides of the each side of the cerebral structure that processes cerebellum; helps coordinate cortex near the temples, that is sensory information for all and integrate movements on the primary receiving area for senses except smell, relaying each side of the body. auditory information. that information to the cerebral • Cerebellum: A large, two-sided o Wernicke’s Area cortex. hindbrain structure at the back • Occipital lobe: An area at the • Hypothalamus: A peanut-sized of the brain; responsible for back of each cerebral forebrain structure that is part muscle coordination and hemisphere that is the primary of the limbic system that maintaining posture and receiving area for visual regulates behaviors related to equilibrium. information. survival, such as eating, • Reticular formation: A network • Parietal lobe : An area on each drinking, and sexual activity. of nerve fibers located in the hemisphere of the cerebral • Amygdala: An almond-shaped center of the medulla that cortex located above the cluster of neurons in the helps regulate attention, temporal lobe that processes brain’s temporal lobe, involved arousal, and sleep; also called somatic sensations. in memory and emotional the reticular activating system. o Somatosensory cortex responses, especially fear. • Frontal lobe : The largest lobe of each cerebral hemisphere; processes voluntary muscle movements and is involved in thinking, planning, and emotional control. o Broca’s Area o Primary Motor Cortex o Prefrontal Cortex

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