The Brain And It’s Organization

Brain Regions Cerebrum- largest region covered by neural cortex (superficial layer of grey matter) Cerebellum-2nd largest part of the brain also covered by a superficial layer of grey matter

Cerebrum- Functions as an information interpreter that takes and analyzes data received from the body Cerebellum- learns movements from birth and helps influence balance and coordination.

Brain Regions Diencephalon- area within the hemisphere of the cerebrum that contains Thalamus- contains relays and processing centers for sensory information Hypothalamus-contains centers involved with emotion, autonomic function and hormone production. Pituitary- works with the hypothalamus and endocrine system

Brain Regions Mesencephalon- also called the midbrain, processes visual and auditory information and controls reflexes for these stimuli. Pons-means bridge and it connects the cerebellum to the brain stem Medulla oblongata- relays sensory information to areas of the brain, while also regulating heart rate, blood pressure and digestion

Cerebral Areas Frontal Lobe- voluntary control of skeletal muscles. Parietal Lobe- touch, pressure, vibrations, taste and temperature perception. Occipital Lobe- conscious perception of visual stimuli. Temporal Lobe- conscious perception of auditory and olfactory stimuli.

Cerebral Areas Sulcus- deep grooves that separate lobes Central sulcus- separates frontal from parietal Lateral sulcus- separates frontal from temporal Parieto-Occipital sulcus- separates parietal lobe from occipital lobe

Cerebral Areas Gyrus- area for reporting information and responding to stimuli with a specific contraction Pre-central gyrus- forms an anterior border to the central sulcus, also called the primary motor cortex, and works like a piano key that produces a specific sound when struck. It will stimulate a specific motor neuron to produce a specific contraction to a skeletal muscle.

Cerebral Areas Post-central gyrus- forms a posterior border to the central sulcus and works like a gauge that reports back information. This gauge or primary sensory cortex receives conscious information from the body for touch, pain, vibration, taste or temperature. Of course the thalamus must fire this information to the sensory cortex in order for us to be aware of the stimuli.

Primary sensory cortex Primary Motor Cortex Primary sensory cortex

Cerebral Areas Visual Cortex- reports information for the eyes. Auditory cortex- ears/hearing Olfactory- Nose/Smell Gustatory- Mouth, tongue, pharynx/taste

Association Areas Coordinate responses for motor actions to sensory receptions from each cerebral cortex. Somatic sensory- allows you to respond to a recognized touch, sound, taste, sight etc. Ex- Mosquito lands on your arm and you have the sense to hit it before it bites you

Association Areas Other areas of association are auditory and visual, which allow you to make conscious responses that are stimulated within these areas Somatic Motor- also called a Premotor cortex, which takes stimulations from various areas of the brain and applies the stimulus to learned movements for a smooth and controlled action. It will not work without information from neuron stimulation in other parts of the cerebrum.

White Matter of the Cerebrum Association Fibers- interconnect areas of the neural cortex within a cerebral hemisphere. Arcuate Fibers- curve to connect one gyrus to another. Longitudinal Fibers- connect the frontal lobe to the rest of the lobes within a hemisphere Commissural Fibers- connect the two hemispheres to one another. Projection Fibers- link the cerebral cortex to the diencephalon, brain stem, cerebellum and spinal cord.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMKc8nfPATI&spfreload=10