1. HUMAN BRAIN

2. l Three major structural components: Cerebrum (top) - large dome-shaped cerebrum; Responsible for intelligence and reasoning. Cerebellum (lower right) - smaller somewhat spherical - Helps maintain balance and posture. Brainstem (center) - Medulla is involved in maintaining involuntary functions such as respiration, and the thalamus acts as a relay center for electrical impulses traveling to and from the cerebral cortex.

3. BRAINSTEM

4. l Structure of the Brain Stem l The brain stem is the lowest part of the brain and serves as the path for messages traveling between the upper brain and spinal cord. It supports basic and vital functions such as breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate, as well as reflexes like eye movement and vomiting. The brain stem consists of the medulla, pons, and midbrain.

5. CEREBRAL CORTEX

6. l Functions of the Cerebral Cortex l Many motor and sensory functions have been "mapped" to specific areas of the cerebral cortex. Both hemispheres are similar with the Left Hemisphere serving the right side of the body while the Right Hemisphere serves the left side of the body. Areas of association, located mainly in the frontal cortex, are responsible for the functions of thought and emotion and for linking input from different senses. The areas of language have been pinpointed to be located on the cortex.

7. PITUITARY GLAND

8. l PituitaryGland l The Pituitary secretes hormones that control the activity of other endocrine glands and regulate various biological processes. It secretes growth hormone (which stimulates cellular activity in bone, cartilage, and other structural tissue); thyroid stimulating hormone (which causes the thyroid to release metabolism- regulating hormones); antidiuretic hormone (which causes the kidney to excrete less water in the urine); and prolactin (which stimulates milk production and breast development in females).

9. LEFT/RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONS

10. DIVISIONS OF THE BRAIN Hindbrain - controls structures essential for survival, ex. breathing, blood circulation, digestion, balance, posture, and muscular coordination. Midbrain - Controls motor responses, and some auditory and visual responses, such as the regulation of the size of the pupil of the eye.

11. DIVISIONS OF THE BRAIN Forebrain - Controls complicated patterns of behavior and are the source of higher level activities that differentiate man from other animals. Thalamus, hypothalamus and cerebrum are located in this area. The hypothalamus is responsible for controlling processes such as body temperature, metabolism, hunger and thirst. It also plays a key role in regulating emotional behavior and changes in mood.

12. MAJOR AREAS OF CORTEX Frontal Lobe - responsible for primary motor functions Temporal Lobe - responsible for auditory stimulation Occipital Lobe - responsible for vision Parietal Lobe - responsible for body senses