Summary of the Major Brain Structures

Brain Stem Forebrain

Hindbrain
A region at the based of the brain
that contains several structures that
regulate basic life functions.
Midbrain
The middle and smallest brain
region, involved with processing
auditory and visual sensory
information.
Cerebral Cortex
The wrinkled outer potion of the
forebrain, which contains the most
sophisticated brain centers.
Limbic System
A group of forebrain structures that
form a border around the brainstem
and are involved in emotion,
motivation, learning and memory.

Figure 2.13 Figure 2.13 Figure 2.15 Figure 2.18

Figure 2.16

Figure 2.17
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Brain stem
Hindbrain
• Medulla: A hindbrain structure
that controls vital life functions
such as breathing and
circulation.
• Pons: A hindbrain structure
that connects the medulla to
the two sides of the
cerebellum; helps coordinate
and integrate movements on
each side of the body.
• Cerebellum: A large, two-sided
hindbrain structure at the back
of the brain; responsible for
muscle coordination and
maintaining posture and
equilibrium.
• Reticular formation: A network
of nerve fibers located in the
center of the medulla that
helps regulate attention,
arousal, and sleep; also called
the reticular activating system.
Summary of the Major Brain Structures
Midbrain
• Substantia nigra: An area of
the midbrain that is involved in
motor control and contains a
large concentration of
dopamine-producing neurons.
Forebrain
Cerebral Cortex
• Corpus Callosum: A thick band
of axons that connects the two
cerebral hemispheres and acts
as a communication link
between them.
• Temporal Lobe: An area on
each side of the cerebral
cortex near the temples, that is
the primary receiving area for
auditory information.
o Wernicke’s Area
• Occipital lobe: An area at the
back of each cerebral
hemisphere that is the primary
receiving area for visual
information.
• Parietal lobe: An area on each
hemisphere of the cerebral
cortex located above the
temporal lobe that processes
somatic sensations.
o Somatosensory cortex
• Frontal lobe: The largest lobe
of each cerebral hemisphere;
processes voluntary muscle
movements and is involved in
thinking, planning, and
emotional control.
o Broca’s Area
o Primary Motor Cortex
o Prefrontal Cortex
Limbic System
• Hippocampus: A curved
forebrain structure that is part
of the limbic system and is
involved in learning and
forming new memories.
• Thalamus: A forebrain
structure that processes
sensory information for all
senses except smell, relaying
that information to the cerebral
cortex.
• Hypothalamus: A peanut-sized
forebrain structure that is part
of the limbic system that
regulates behaviors related to
survival, such as eating,
drinking, and sexual activity.
• Amygdala: An almond-shaped
cluster of neurons in the
brain’s temporal lobe, involved
in memory and emotional
responses, especially fear.
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