Apr 12 / 2021

Parts of the human brain (and functions)

What are the regions and areas of the brain and what is the function of each?

The human brain has been described as the most complex system in the known universe, and not without reason.and not without reason.

It is composed of a network of glia, neurons and nerve pathways and is the most important part of the Central Nervous System, but its intricate structure and function does not mean that we cannot make a classification of the main parts of the brain.

The main parts of the brain

In humans, the encephalon or cerebrum is the part of the Central Nervous System that is located at the end of the spinal cord, inside the skull. spinal cord, inside the skull. It is, in short, the organ thanks to which we can perform the most complex mental operations and have consciousness, i.e., a sense of self. It is precisely for this reason that within the brain there are a large number of structures working together at great speed, a fact that makes the functioning of the brain, even today, a mystery in many of its aspects.

To begin to understand what we know about this complex machinery, it is essential to know the parts of the brain, that is, the way in which the structures that compose it can be classified. A good way to classify the different parts of the brain can be by looking at the different formations that are formed inside the head of a human embryo. There are a total of three structures.

1.1. Rhombencephalon

This is the upper part of the spinal cord and, as the fetus develops During the development of the fetus, it will be transformed into the structures in charge of carrying out indispensable tasks for survival, such as the control of the heart rhythm, the heart rate, the heart rate control, the heart rate control, and the spinal cord.such as the control of heart rate and respiration. It will eventually transform into the cerebellum, the brainstem bridge and the medulla oblongata, as we shall see.

1.2. Midbrain

In human embryos, it appears just above the hindbrain, and will gradually transform into the medial part of the encephalon, also responsible for carrying out a large part of the basic survival functions, but also acts as a bridge but which also acts as a bridge between the other two structures.

1.3. Forebrain

Located at the farthest end of the spinal cord and on the side closest to the face of the embryo, the forebrain is the formation that will gradually transform into the parts of the brain that have appeared more recently in our evolutionary line and that, therefore, have to do with the use of language, the use of language, planning, and the search for creative solutions to new problems.. As we shall see, the two main structures to which the development of the hindbrain gives way are the diencephalon and the telencephalon.

The parts of the adult brain

Going into more detail, we can stop to look at the various components of the brain in fully developed human beings. It is in this set of organs that we find all those parts of the brain that define the way our mind functions.

Here we will first look at the parts of the brain that are generated from the forebrain, and then move on to the midbrain area and the hindbrain, in that order.

2.1. Telencephalon

The telencephalon is the part of the brain that is easiest to see with the naked eye, since it occupies most of the surface of the brain. Its components are the cerebral cortex, the basal ganglia and the limbic system..

2.1.1. Cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex (or cortex) is the part of the brain that is rough and full of folds.. It overlies the rest of the brain, and is the area where the information necessary to carry out the most complex mental processes is integrated, since the information that reaches this region has already been partially processed by other brain structures. The cortex is divided into two cerebral hemispheres that are almost symmetrical to the naked eye, although on a microscopic scale they are very different.

In addition, each hemisphere is composed of each hemisphere is made up of several lobes of the braineach of which is more involved in certain mental processes. The lobes of the brain are these:

Frontal lobe
Parietal lobe
Occipital lobe
Temporal lobe
Insula
You can read more about it in this article on the cerebral lobes.

2.1.2. Basal ganglia

The second component of the telencephalon is the set formed by the basal ganglia.. These are a group of structures located below the cerebral cortex and symmetrically distributed under each of the hemispheres. The basal ganglia are the globus pallidus, the putamen and the caudate nucleus, which are complemented by a region known as the substantia nigra.

The basal ganglia are the parts of the brain that allow us to perform relatively complex and precise movements easily and almost automatically: writing, speaking, modifying our facial expressions in a voluntary manner.etc. Therefore, they monitor in a semi-automatic way the way we perform chains of movements that we have practiced many times before until we master them, and at the same time they allow us to learn them well, among other functions.

To read more about this set of brain structures, you can visit the article dedicated to the basal ganglia.

2.1.3. Limbic system

The limbic system is a set of brain structures whose boundaries are quite fuzzy, as it is mixed with many different parts of the brain.It is a set of brain structures whose boundaries are quite fuzzy, as it is mixed with many different parts of the brain. Its functions are related to the emergence and regulation of emotions and the bodily responses beyond the head that accompany them. This is why it is sometimes considered the "emotional brain" as opposed to the "rational brain" which would correspond to the areas occupied by the cerebral cortex (and especially the frontal lobe).

However, neither the limbic system nor the cortex can function well independently, and therefore this distinction between the limbic system and the cortex is notTherefore, this distinction between rational and emotional areas is very artificial, especially considering that we are not as rational as it might seem.

If you are interested in knowing more about this part of the brain, you can access this article on the limbic system. this article on the limbic system.

2.1.4. Hippocampus

The hippocampus is an elongated structure located in the inner part of the temporal lobes, one of the oldest regions of the cerebral cortex, present in the oldest mammalian forms. Its function is related to the storage and retrieval of memories, learning and spatial navigation.

You can read more about this part of the brain in this article dedicated to the hippocampus.

2.1.5. Amygdala

The cerebral amygdala is a group of neurons that are grouped on the inner side of the temporal lobe of each of the hemispheres. That is to say, as is the case with the hippocampus, it is one of those parts of the brain that are found in duplicate in each human brain, having one in each half (left and right) of the encephalon.

The cerebral amygdala is part of the limbic systemIt is one of the most important brain structures when it comes to relating emotional states with situations we experience; that is why it plays a key role in the mental processes related to emotional memory and learning linked to it, which are very important. At the end of the day, knowing with which emotions each type of stimulus or experience is paired makes us adopt an attitude towards them and we opt for some possible reactions and not others.

You can read more about the cerebral amygdala in this article.

2.2. Diencephalon

The diencephalon is the second large structure forming the forebrain, and is located just below the telencephalon, deep in the Nervous System.It is located just below the telencephalon, in the depths of the central nervous system. The parts of the brain that compose the diencephalon are basically the thalamus and the hypothalamus.

2.2.1. Thalamus

It is the largest part of the diencephalon, and is the nucleus in which all the information that reaches us through the senses is first integrated (except for smell, which reaches the brain directly through the olfactory bulb of each cerebral hemisphere). (with the exception of smell, which reaches the brain directly through the olfactory bulb of each cerebral hemisphere). The thalamus sends this information to higher areas of the brain, so that the information that has begun to be synthesized in it can be further processed there, and it is also capable of enabling the Autonomic Nervous System to react quickly to stimuli that may signify the presence of danger.

To read more about this part of the brain, you can read this article on the thalamus.

2.2.2. Hypothalamus

The hypothalamus is located just below the thalamus, and is mainly responsible for ensuring that the whole organism is constantly in a state of homeostasis.The brain is in balance in all senses: body temperature, hormone levels in the blood, breathing rhythm, etc.

In addition, thanks to its ability to make different glands of the body secrete hormones, it induces us to more or less high states of stress and general activation depending on what is happening in other parts of the brain. It is also the structure responsible for the onset of thirst and hunger.

You can read more about the hypothalamus in this article.

2.3. The brainstem

The brainstem, or brain stem, is the part of the brain that is most directly connected to the spinal cord, and it is also in charge of the brain stem.It is also responsible for performing the basic tasks of maintaining vital functions such as involuntary respiration and heart rate. It is formed by the parts that evolve from the midbrain and hindbrain. Its parts are as follows.

2.3.1. Midbrain

The midbrain is the part of the brainstem that lies just below the diencephalon.. It is responsible for communicating the brain stem with the higher structures and vice versa, and is also involved in the maintenance of automatic processes that allow us to survive. It is divided into the tectum and the tegmentum.

2.3.2. Protuberance

This structure is also known as the pons or the brainstem bridge.. It is located just below the midbrain.

2.3.3. Spinal bulb

It is the lower part of the brainstem.Its functions are very similar to those of the other two structures of this part of the brain. It is also the link between the brain and the spinal cord. In the medulla oblongata is a part known as the decussation of the pyramids. decussation of the pyramidswhich is where bundles of nerve fibers from the two hemifields (the left and right halves of the human body) intertwine to pass from one side to the other; this explains why the right hemisphere is in charge of processing information from the left hand while the left hemisphere is in charge of the other, for example.

If you are interested in reading more about the brainstem, you can read this article

Cerebellum

Together with the medulla oblongata and the pons, the cerebellum is the third major structure that evolved from the hindbrain.. In addition, the cerebellum and the pons are part of a region called the metencephalon.

The cerebellum is one of the parts of the brain with the highest concentration of neurons and among its many functions the most studied is the regulation and monitoring of complex movements that require a certain coordination. It also plays a role in maintaining balance during standing and walking.

If you are interested in learning more about the cerebellum, you can visit this article

Other related nervous system structures

The different parts of the brain not only work in coordination with each other, but also need the participation of other parts of the brain.The different parts of the brain not only work by coordinating with each other, but also require the participation of other parts of the nervous system.

These structures and systems, which do not belong to the brain itself, are the cerebral nerves (or cranial nerves) and the autonomic nervous system (ANS).

Cranial nerves

The cranial nerves are bundles of axons that come from different points in the lower part of the brain and go to other parts of the body. to other parts of the body without passing through the spinal cord.. This is what distinguishes them from the rest of the nerves, which do not leave the different parts of the brain but from various sections of the medulla.

Examples of cranial nerves are the trigeminal nerve, the vagus nerve or the olfactory nerve; all of them are of great importance, and in the case of the trigeminal nerve, its incorrect functioning can generate a lot of pain.

You can read more about these nerves of the brain in this article.

Autonomic Nervous System

The Autonomic Nervous System is a network of axons, ganglia and organs that regulates the functions of the brain. is responsible for regulating the functions that keep us alive, such as digestionsuch as digestion, involuntary breathing or heartbeat. That is why these functions cannot be controlled voluntarily; they are too important, and are fully automated.

This network of neurons interacts especially with the lower parts of the brain (the brainstem), and is divided into the sympathetic system, the parasympathetic system and the enteric system.

Through these communication pathways, parts of the body are controlled which, being at the basis of the survival of the tissues and cells that form the body, cannot depend on voluntary decisions or attention management, which means that in addition to being automated processes, even if a person wants to, it is not possible to intervene on them or make them stop, since this could lead to immediate death. You can read more about it in this article.