Brain parts to know & Love

G. Diencephalon 1. Sits on top of the brain stem 2. Enclosed by the cerebral hemispheres 3. Made of three parts a. Thalamus b. Hypothalamus c. Epithalamus

Figure 7.15

H. Thalamus 1.Surrounds the third ventricle 2. The relay station for sensory impulses to the sensory cortex where it transfers the impulses to the correct part of the cortex for localization and interpretation (ie. Is it good or bad & then where to send it)

I. Hypothalamus 1. Under the thalamus 2. Important autonomic nervous system center a. Helps regulate body temperature b. Controls water balance c. Regulates metabolism 3. An important part of the limbic system (emotions) a. The pituitary gland is attached to the hypothalamus b. mammillary bodies bulge from the bottom, give sense of smell

J. Epithalamus 1. Forms the roof of the third ventricle 2. Houses the pineal body (an endocrine gland) 3. Includes the choroid plexus – forms cerebrospinal fluid

K. Brain Stem 1. About the size of your thumb 2. Attaches to the spinal cord 3. Parts of the brain stem a. Midbrain b. Pons c. Medulla oblongata

Brain Stem Figure 7.15a

L. Midbrain 1. Mostly composed of tracts of nerve fibers 2. Has two bulging fiber tracts – cerebral peduncles a. convey ascending & descending impulses 3. Has four rounded protrusions – corpora quadrigemina a. Reflex centers for vision and hearing

M. Pons 1. The bulging center part of the brain stem 2. Mostly composed of fiber tracts 3. Includes nuclei involved in the control of breathing

N. Medulla Oblongata 1. The lowest part of the brain stem 2. Merges into the spinal cord 3. Includes important fiber tracts 4. Contains important control centers a. Heart rate control b. Blood pressure regulation c. Breathing d. Swallowing e. Vomiting

O. Cerebellum 1. Two hemispheres with convoluted surfaces (like the cerebrum) 2. Provides coordination of body movements. Takes information for inner ear & the rest of the body

Cerebellum Figure 7.15a