to learn about your BRAIN!!! Today is a great day to learn about your BRAIN!!!

Human Brain

How do we know about the brain? EEG- electrical activity of brain CAT- 3D images MRI- image of radio waves/ Hydrogen atom energy PET- visual image of trace chemical activity after injection of radioactive substance

EEG

EEG

CAT

Can you find the brain tumor?

CAT

MRI

MRI

PET

PET

PET

Parts of the Brain

Cerebrum Longest part of brain Two hemispheres Responsible for voluntary movement, speech, emotion, memory intelligence and memory processing

Cerebral Cortex

Cerebral Cortex The body’s ultimate control and information processing center Covers the brain’s lower level structures Contains an estimated 30 billion nerve cells Divided into four lobes

Frontal Lobes The portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead Is involved in making plans and judgments

What’s a frontal lobe to do?

Occipital Lobe The primary visual processing area Located in the back of the head

Parietal Lobes Regions available for general processing, including mathematical reasoning Designated as the association lobes Behind the frontal lobes Processes taste, smell, and feeling Motion – motor cortex

Motor Cortex Area at the rear of the frontal lobes Controls voluntary movement Different parts of the cortex control different parts of the body. The motor cortex in the left hemisphere controls the right side of the body and visa versa.

Somatosensory Cortex Located in the front of the parietal lobes Registers and processes body senses Soma is Greek for “body.”

Temporal Lobes Includes the auditory cortex where sound information is processed Located roughly above the ears

Cerebellum Latin for the “little brain” Located in the rear of the brain Helps coordinate voluntary movements and balance If damaged, the person could perform basic movements but would lose fine coordination skills.

Brainstem The oldest part of the brain Is responsible for automatic survival functions Located where the spinal cord swells and the brain just begins

Midbrain The MIDBRAIN is also responsible for behaviors associated with hearing and sight Pupil dilation and eyeball movement

PONS The PONS is responsible for helping to regulate breathing, to help with sleep and wake cycles, and controls facial expressions

Duchenne-Facial Expression Chart (electrical stimulation)

Medulla The base of the brainstem Controls life-supporting functions like heartbeat and breathing Damage to this area can lead to death.

The Lovely Limbic System

Limbic System A ring of structures around the thalamus; at the border of the brainstem and cerebral cortex Helps regulate memory, aggression, fear, hunger, and thirst Includes the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala

Thalamus Sits atop the brainstem The brain’s sensory switchboard -- directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex Thalamus is Greek for “inner chamber.”

Hypothalamus Located directly under the front of the thalamus Regulates eating, drinking, body temperature, and the fight or flight reactions to stress Plays a role in emotions, pleasure, and sexual function

Hippocampus Wraps around the back of the thalamus Plays a role in processing new memories for permanent storage Looks something like a seahorse Hippo is Greek for “horse.”

Amygdala Two almond shaped structures Controls emotional responses such as fear and anger

May I please be excused? My brain is full.