Human brain: its structures and main areas

A summary of the most important areas of our organ of thought and emotions.

The thinking organ. Our brain is one of the most important areas of the body, as it regulates the different vital functionsIt regulates the different vital functions that allow us to survive. It also allows us to be who we are.

Reason, emotion, motivation... all of these have their origin in the nervous system and especially in the brain. But this organ is not something homogeneous, it is structured in different areas. That is why in this article we are going to mention the different structures of the brain.

What do we mean by brain?

We call brain the functional center of the nervous systemlocated at the upper end of the neural tube. Located inside the skull and protected by the skull and the meninges against damage and external aggressions, it is the most important organ as it regulates and controls all the functions of the organism, allowing life and survival of the human being. It is also thanks to it that we are able to think, reflect, have feelings and emotions, identify with something or someone and, in general, and even be aware of ourselves.

It is considered that the brain itself is mainly made up of the cortex and subcortex, not including the brainstem or the cerebellum. Despite this, brain and encephalon are often used as synonyms, and generally and generally when we speak of the brain we are referring to the whole encephalon.

Main brain structures

The encephalon is made up of a large number of structures, the brain can be divided into different parts. During our development we can find three main areas of the encephalon, the posterior encephalon or rhombencephalon, the middle encephalon or mesencephalon and the anterior encephalon or prosencephalon (which later divides into diencephalon and telencephalon), each one containing different brain structures.

1. Rhombencephalon

Located in the lowest part of the brain, the hindbrain is the part of the brain in which the structures of the brain are located. the most primitive structures of the brain are located. of the brain. It is the part of the brain that contacts the spinal cord and regulates the most basic vital functions.

In this division of the encephalon we can observe two subdivisions, with different brain structures located in each of them. Together with the midbrain, forms part of what is also known as the brainstem or brain stem. or brain stem.

Medulla oblongata

It is one of the structures of the brain that form part of the hindbrain, derived from the myelencephalon. The medulla oblongata is the point of connection between the spinal cord and the brain.It is an essential part of the brain for survival since it is in charge of managing processes such as Heart rate, motor function and digestion.

Pontine pons or pons

The pons is another of the most vital brain structures for mere survival, Injury to the pons can result in death.. It is responsible for the movement of the viscera, homeostatic processes such as temperature maintenance and participates in the regulation of consciousness and respiration.

Cerebellum

This part of the brain is known for its involvement in a large number of processes and functions of the organism. It is especially recognized for its role in the control of muscle movementIt is also involved in aspects such as emotional regulation or cognitive processes such as memory and intelligence.

2. Midbrain

The midbrain is the part of the brain located between the forebrain and hindbrain. It joins both regions and allows communication between them, having also great importance for the control of vital processes. Like the hindbrain, it is part of the brainstem. It contributes to the integration of information from different pathways and is linked to the level of consciousness. In this region we can fundamentally find two structures of the brain.

Tectum

Located in the most dorsal part of the midbrainThis structure is linked to the reaction to sound stimuli and the reflex control of eye movements.

Tegmentum

Formed in turn by structures such as the substantia nigra, the red nucleus or the periaqueductal gray matter, this brain structure is involved in functions such as movement, pain management and pain management. functions such as movement, pain management and fight or flight reactions. and fight or flight reactions.

3. Forebrain

This is the most developed part of the brain with the most structures, It is responsible for higher mental functions.. We can distinguish two main areas, diencephalon and telencephalon.

3.1. Diencephalon

Located in the depths of the encephalon, the diencephalon is an internal part of the prosencephalon that is mainly configured by two large brain structures, thalamus and hypothalamus.

Thalamus

This brain region is the main nucleus for the integration of sensory information.This allows to maintain a coordinated perception with respect to external stimulation before sending it to other brain areas where the information is processed. In addition, thanks to its connection with the limbic system, it allows perception and emotion to be linked.

Hypothalamus

The hypothalamus is one of the structures of the brain that is regulation of different hormones that enable the management of the organism. that enable the management of the organism. Connected to the pituitary gland, it is involved in a large number of processes coordinated with the autonomic nervous system, such as wakefulness, sexual behavior, hunger and thirst or affectivity. It is essential in the control of body homeostasis.

3.2. Telencephalon

If we consider the brain as a part of the encephalon and not as a synonym of it, the cerebrum would be the part of the encephalon equivalent to the telencephalon. Within it we can find different systems that in turn are made up of different structures.

Cerebral cortex

The most visible and recognizable part of the brain, the cerebral cortex is the area of the brain in which the integration and processing of information is finalized and thanks to which the following are carried out. and thanks to which the most complex functions are carried out, allowing aspects such as reasoningThe cerebral cortex is the most visible and recognizable part of the brain, allowing aspects such as reasoning, speech, executive functions or fine motor skills.

The cortex is divided into two cerebral hemispheres.. In addition to this we can establish five differentiated lobes specialized in different functions, the frontal, occipital, temporal and parietal lobes, as well as the insula.

Basal ganglia

A small group of brain structures that located below the cortex, the basal ganglia are of great importance in controlling automatic functions.The basal ganglia are of great importance in controlling functions automatically. They are related to learning and task automation, as well as to memory or movement. Putamen, globus pallidus and caudate nucleus are its main components.

Limbic system

The limbic system is a system of different structures of the brain which are in charge of the are responsible for the management of emotions, learning and memory.learning and memory. Some of its main components are the amygdala, the hippocampus, the hypothalamus or the mammillary bodies.