Structure and Function of the Human Brain

Where Do We Start?

The most complex organ both structurally and functionally in our body

Much is still not known about the brain and all its abilities

Best way to understand it, is to break it into regions, and discuss what each region does

Regions/Structures of the Brain

Brain is composed of 4 main regions: Brain Stem Cerebellum

(cerebel=little Brain)

Diencephalon (di-=through, encephal=brain)

Cerebrum (cerebr-=brain)

Brain Stem

Contains 3 major structures: Medulla Oblongata (Think “Waterboy”)

▪ Houses respiratory and cardiovascular control centers

▪ Breathing, blood pressure, coughing, vomiting▪ http://www.metacafe.com/watch/115109/medulla_o

blongata_waterboy/ Pons (Pons=Bridge)

▪ Assist Medulla in breathing▪ Relays info to diencephalon and cerebellum

Midbrain▪ Connects upper and lower brain areas▪ Reflex center for eyes, head, neck

Brain Stem

The Cerebellum

Regulates posture and balance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5

eBwn22Bnio Smoothes and coordinates skilled

skeletal muscle movements

Diencephalon

Located in brains central area Three main regions:

Thalamus (thala-=inner chamber)▪ “Grand Central Relay Station”▪ Principle relay station for sensory fibers

▪ Involved in consciousness, emotions, learning, memory

Hypothalamus▪ Controls many body fxns and homeostasis▪ Emotions, behavior, body temp, eating, drinking

Epithalamus▪ Houses small endocrine gland, secretes

melatonin

Structure of Diencephalon

The Cerebrum

Right and Left Hemispheres

Largest, most complex part of brain

Center of Higher mental processes

Intelligence, communication, memory, reasoning, emotions

Interprets sensory input and initiates skeletal muscle contraction

Lobes of the Cerebrum

Named so because of overlying bone structure

Certain lobes carry certain fxns ▪ (Ex. Temporal Lobe

contains auditory cortex, Occipital Lobe contains visual cortex)

Functional Areas of Cerebral Cortex

There are many…I want you to know two Broca’s Speech Area ▪ Initiates impulses that result in speech▪ What would happen if this part of the brain were injured?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2IiMEbMnPM Wernicke’s Area ▪ Recognizes spoken words, translates words into

thoughts▪ What were to happen if this area of the brain were

injured?▪ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVhYN7NTIKU▪ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw6d54gjuvA

Broca’s and Wernicke’s Areas

Hemispheres of the Brain

Right Hemisphere Controls Left side of

body Spatial abilities Face Recognition Visual Imagery Music Left Hemisphere Controls right side

of body Language Math Logic

Connected by the corpus callosum