Essay The Brain

Submitted By Simanetris1
Words: 522
Pages: 3

The anatomy of the brain is a very complex due to its complicated structure and functions. This astounding organ act as a control center by receiving, interpreting, and directing sensory information throughout the body. There are three major sections of the brain, these sections consists of the forebrain, the midbrain, and the hindbrain (Sternberg &Sternberg, 2012). The forebrain is responsible for a variety of functions, such as receiving and processing sensory information, thinking, perceiving, producing and understanding language, and controlling motor functions. The forebrain is divided into two major sections, the diencephalon and the telencephalon. The diencephalon contains structures such as the thalamus and the hypothalamus, whose responsibilities are for functions such as motor control, controlling autonomic functions, and relaying sensory information. The telencephalon contains the largest part of the brain which is the cerebrum. The cerebrum is the most highly developed part of the human brain and is divided into right and left hemispheres that are connected by the corpus callosum. The cerebrum is involved in several functions of the body including touch sensation, determining personality, and determining intelligence. Most of the actual information processing takes place in the cerebral cortex, which is the layer behind the brain that is often referred to as the grey matter (Sternberg & Sternberg, 2012). The midbrain and the hindbrain together make up the brainstem, which is the region of the brain that connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord. The brainstem consists of the midbrain, the pons, and the medulla oblongata. Motor and sensory neurons travels through the brainstem allowing the relay of signals between the brain and the spinal cord. The brainstems also operate motor control signals sent from the brain to the body. The brainstem controls life supporting autonomic functions of the peripheral nervous system. It is responsible for several other functions of the body including blood pressure, breathing, heart rate and digestion. The midbrain is the portion of the brain that connects the hindbrain and the forebrain. This part of the brain is involved in auditory and visual responses as well as motor functions (Sternberg & Sternberg, 2012). The hindbrain extends from the