The Brain: Structure and Functions

By Ben Breach

THE CEREBRUM

The Cerebrum is the largest part of the human brain. Its is also known to be associated with higher brain functions such as thought and action. It is divided into 4 lobes. These are called:

• Frontal Lobe

• Parietal Lobe

• Occipital Lobe

• Temporal Lobe

FRONTAL LOBE

The frontal lobe located at the front of the brain, is one of the four major lobes of the cerebral cortex in the brain of mammals. The frontal lobe is located at the front of each cerebral hemisphere and positioned in front of the parietal lobe and above and in front of the temporal lobes.

The function of the frontal lobe involves the ability to recognize future consequences resulting from current actions, the choice between good and bad actions (or better and best), the override and suppression of socially unacceptable responses, and the determination of similarities and differences between things or events.

PARIETAL LOBE

The parietal lobe is positioned above the occipital lobe and behind the frontal lobe and central sulcus.

The parietal lobe integrates sensory information among various modalities, including spatial sense and navigation (proprioception), the main sensory receptive area for the sense of touch (somatosensation) in the somatosensory cortex which is just posterior to the central sulcus in the post central gyrus, and the dorsal stream of the visual system. The major sensory inputs from the skin (touch, temperature, and pain receptors) relay through the thalamus to the parietal lobe.

OCCIPITAL LOBE

The occipital lobe is the visual processing centre of the mammalian brain containing most of the anatomical region of the visual cortex. The primary visual cortex is Brodmann area 17, commonly called V1 (visual one)

TEMPORAL LOBE

The temporal lobe is located beneath the lateral fissure on both cerebral hemispheres of the mammalian brain.

The temporal lobes are involved in the retention of visual memories, processing sensory input, comprehending language, storing new memories, emotion, and deriving meaning.

CEREBELLUM

This part of the brain controls the balance, posture and cardiac centres

This makes it an important part of the brain and body. It allows us to keep our balance when walking or running. It also allows us to correct our posture.

BRAIN STEM

The brain stem acts as a pathway for motor and sensory relays to the body and face.

It also is used in vital centres such as cardiac, respiratory and vasomotor.