Major Brain Structures

Understanding major brain structures is key to grasping how our thoughts, emotions, and actions work. Each part of the brain plays a unique role, from decision-making to memory formation, shaping our behavior and experiences every day.

1. Cerebral cortex

   • The outermost layer of the brain, responsible for higher-level functions such as thought, reasoning, and decision-making.
   • Divided into four lobes: frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital, each with specific functions.
   • Involved in sensory perception, motor control, and language processing.

2. Cerebellum

   • Located at the back of the brain, it plays a crucial role in coordination and balance.
   • Responsible for fine-tuning motor movements and learning motor skills.
   • Involved in cognitive functions such as attention and language.

3. Brainstem

   • Connects the brain to the spinal cord and controls basic life functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.
   • Composed of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata.
   • Acts as a relay center for signals between the brain and the body.

4. Hippocampus

   • Essential for the formation of new memories and learning.
   • Plays a role in spatial navigation and the consolidation of information from short-term to long-term memory.
   • Vulnerable to stress and damage, which can lead to memory impairments.

5. Amygdala

   • Involved in processing emotions, particularly fear and pleasure.
   • Plays a key role in the formation of emotional memories and responses.
   • Connects with various brain regions to influence behavior and decision-making.

6. Thalamus

   • Acts as the brain's relay station, processing and transmitting sensory information to the appropriate areas of the cerebral cortex.
   • Involved in regulating sleep, alertness, and consciousness.
   • Plays a role in the integration of sensory and motor signals.

7. Hypothalamus

   • Regulates vital bodily functions such as temperature, hunger, thirst, and circadian rhythms.
   • Controls the endocrine system by influencing hormone release from the pituitary gland.
   • Plays a role in emotional responses and autonomic nervous system functions.

8. Basal ganglia

   • A group of nuclei involved in the regulation of voluntary motor control and movement coordination.
   • Plays a role in habit formation and procedural learning.
   • Dysfunction in this area is associated with movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease.

9. Corpus callosum

   • A thick band of nerve fibers that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain.
   • Facilitates communication and coordination between the two hemispheres.
   • Plays a role in integrating sensory and cognitive functions across both sides of the brain.

10. Prefrontal cortex

    • Located at the front of the brain, it is involved in complex cognitive behavior, decision-making, and social interactions.
    • Plays a key role in personality expression and moderating social behavior.
    • Important for executive functions such as planning, problem-solving, and impulse control.