Brain Structure

Brain

Structure

• Cerebrum: largest part of the brain, divided into two hemispheres (left and right)
• Cerebral cortex: outer layer of the cerebrum, responsible for processing sensory information
• Basal ganglia: group of structures involved in movement and cognition
• Thalamus: relays sensory information to the cortex
• Hypothalamus: regulates body temperature, hunger, and thirst
• Brainstem: connects the cerebrum to the spinal cord, responsible for controlling automatic functions (breathing, heart rate, etc.)

Functions

• Motor control: cerebrum and basal ganglia work together to control voluntary movements
• Sensory processing: cerebral cortex processes sensory information from the environment
• Cognitive functions: cerebrum involved in attention, memory, language, and problem-solving
• Regulation of bodily functions: hypothalamus and brainstem regulate body temperature, hunger, thirst, and other automatic functions
• Emotional processing: limbic system (includes hippocampus, amygdala) involved in emotional responses and memory formation

Blood Supply

• Blood-brain barrier: specialized barrier that separates the brain from the bloodstream
• Cerebral arteries: supply oxygenated blood to the brain
• Cerebral veins: drain deoxygenated blood from the brain

Protection

• Skull: bony structure that protects the brain
• Meninges: protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord
• Cerebrospinal fluid: clear fluid that cushions the brain and spinal cord, provides buoyancy and protection

Brain Structure

• The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain, divided into two hemispheres (left and right)
• The cerebral cortex is the outer layer of the cerebrum, responsible for processing sensory information
• The basal ganglia is a group of structures involved in movement and cognition
• The thalamus relays sensory information to the cortex
• The hypothalamus regulates body temperature, hunger, and thirst
• The brainstem connects the cerebrum to the spinal cord, controlling automatic functions like breathing and heart rate

Brain Functions

• The cerebrum and basal ganglia work together to control voluntary movements
• The cerebral cortex processes sensory information from the environment
• The cerebrum is involved in attention, memory, language, and problem-solving
• The hypothalamus and brainstem regulate body temperature, hunger, thirst, and other automatic functions
• The limbic system (including the hippocampus and amygdala) is involved in emotional responses and memory formation

Blood Supply and Protection

• The blood-brain barrier separates the brain from the bloodstream
• Cerebral arteries supply oxygenated blood to the brain
• Cerebral veins drain deoxygenated blood from the brain
• The skull is a bony structure that protects the brain
• The meninges are protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord
• Cerebrospinal fluid cushions the brain and spinal cord, providing buoyancy and protection