Brain Regions and Functions

Study Notes

The brain is divided into regions: cerebrum, diencephalon, brainstem, and cerebellum.
The cerebrum is the largest part, having cerebral hemispheres (left and right).
The diencephalon is located beneath the cerebrum and contains structures like the thalamus and hypothalamus.
The brainstem connects the cerebrum and cerebellum to the spinal cord, encompassing structures like the midbrain, pons, and medulla.
The cerebellum is involved in coordinating movement and balance.

The ventricular system is a series of interconnected cavities filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Ventricles, which contain CSF, are located within the brain.
CSF is produced by the choroid plexus and serves to cushion and nourish the brain.

The outermost layer of the cerebrum is the cerebral cortex, responsible for higher-level cognitive functions.
The cerebral cortex is composed of gray matter (neural cell bodies) or white matter (myelinated axons).
It is subdivided into different lobes (frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal, and insula), each with specific functions.
Functional areas within the cortex include primary motor cortex (movement execution), premotor cortex (movement planning), Broca's area (speech production), primary somatosensory cortex (sensory input), and visual and auditory areas.

The primary motor cortex controls voluntary movements.
The premotor cortex plans and sequences movements.
The primary somatosensory cortex processes touch and other sensory information.
Association areas combine information from different sensory inputs and areas associated with each input.
Visual areas process and interpret visual information (primary and association areas), and auditory areas process sound information (primary and association areas).

The cerebellum is involved in coordination of movement and balance.
It receives information from the cerebral cortex, spinal cord, and sensory systems to fine-tune movements for smooth execution.

The thalamus acts as a relay station for sensory information to the cerebral cortex.
The hypothalamus regulates various bodily functions, including homeostasis, hunger, thirst, and the sleep-wake cycle.
The brainstem's midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata control autonomic functions like breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.
The limbic system deals with emotions, memory, and motivations.
The prefrontal cortex is involved in higher-order cognitive functions.
The vestibular cortex is associated with balance and spatial orientation.
Olfactory, gustatory, and visceral sensory systems are also featured in the regions of the brain.

The diencephalon (thalamus and hypothalamus) plays a crucial role in sensory processing and homeostasis.
The brainstem controls vital functions vital to survival.
The cerebellum aids in motor coordination and control.
The cerebral cortex is essential for complex cognitive processes and voluntary movement.