Outline of the human brain

Outline of the Human Brain

The human brain is the central organ of the human nervous system, and with the spinal cord makes up the central nervous system. The brain consists of the cerebrum, the brainstem and the cerebellum. It controls most of the activities of the body, processing, integrating, and coordinating the information it receives from the sense organs, and making decisions as to the instructions sent to the rest of the body.

File:Brain Human Normal Inferior View.jpg

Inferior view of the human brain, including the brainstem.

Structure

Cerebrum

The cerebrum is the largest part of the human brain. It is divided into two cerebral hemispheres. The cerebral cortex is an outer layer of grey matter, covering the core of white matter. The cortex is split into the neocortex and the much smaller allocortex.

Brainstem

The brainstem is posterior to the cerebrum. It is made up of the midbrain, the pons, and the medulla oblongata. The brainstem controls the flow of messages between the brain and the rest of the body, and it also controls basic body functions such as breathing, swallowing, heart rate, blood pressure, consciousness, and whether one is awake or sleepy.

Cerebellum

The cerebellum is located under the cerebrum. Its function is to coordinate voluntary movements, balance, equilibrium and muscle tone.

File:Cerebellum - animation.gif

Animation of the human cerebellum.

Function

The human brain controls and coordinates most sensory systems, movement, behavior, and homeostatic body functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, fluid balance, and body temperature. The brain is responsible for cognition and awareness, and it is the source of all complex emotions and thoughts.

See also

• Neuroscience
• Neuroanatomy
• Neurophysiology