Brainstem Medulla Pons Midbrain

Brainstem[edit]
Main article: Brainstem
The brainstem consists of the medulla, the pons and the midbrain. The medulla can be

referred to as an extension of the spinal cord, and its organization and functional
properties are similar to those of the spinal cord. [8] The tracts passing from the spinal
cord to the brain pass through here.[8]
Regulatory functions of the medulla nuclei include control of the blood

pressure and breathing. Other nuclei are involved in balance, taste, hearing and
control of muscles of the face and neck.[8]
The next structure rostral to the medulla is the pons, which lies on the ventral anterior
side of the brainstem. Nuclei in the pons include pontine nuclei which work with
the cerebellum and transmit information between the cerebellum and the cerebral
cortex.[8] In the dorsal posterior pons lie nuclei that have to do with breathing, sleep
and taste.[8]
The midbrain (or mesencephalon) is situated above and rostral to the pons, and
includes nuclei linking distinct parts of the motor system, among others the
cerebellum, the basal ganglia and both cerebral hemispheres. Additionally parts of the
visual and auditory systems are located in the mid brain, including control of
automatic eye movements.[8]
The brainstem at large provides entry and exit to the brain for a number of pathways
for motor and autonomic control of the face and neck through cranial nerves, [8] and
autonomic control of the organs is mediated by the tenth cranial (vagus) nerve.[4] A
large portion of the brainstem is involved in such autonomic control of the body. Such
functions may engage the heart, blood vessels, pupillae, among others.[8]
The brainstem also hold the reticular formation, a group of nuclei involved in

both arousal and alertness.[8]
Cerebellum[edit]
Main article: Cerebellum
The cerebellum lies behind the pons. The cerebellum is composed of several dividing
fissures and lobes. Its function includes the control of posture, and the coordination of
movements of parts of the body, including the eyes and head as well as the limbs.
Further it is involved in motion that has been learned and perfected though practice,
and will adapt to new learned movements.[8] Despite its previous classification as a
motor structure, the cerebellum also displays connections to areas of the cerebral
cortex involved in language as well as cognitive functions. These connections have
been shown by the use of medical imaging techniques such as fMRI and PET.[8]
The body of the cerebellum holds more neurons than any other structure of the brain
including that of the larger cerebrum (or cerebral hemispheres), but is also more
extensively understood than other structures of the brain, and includes fewer types of
different neurons.[8] It handles and processes sensory stimuli, motor information as
well as balance information from the vestibular organ.[8]
Diencephalon[edit]
Main articles: Diencephalon, Thalamus, and Hypothalamus
The two structures of the diencephalon worth noting are the thalamus and the
hypothalamus. The thalamus acts as a linkage between incoming pathways from the
peripheral nervous system as well as the optical nerve (though it does not receive
input from the olfactory nerve) to the cerebral hemispheres. Previously it was
considered only a "relay station", but it is engaged in the sorting of information that
will reach cerebral hemispheres (neocortex).[8]
Apart from its function of sorting information from the periphery, the thalamus also
connects the cerebellum and basal ganglia with the cerebrum. In common with the
aforementioned reticular system the thalamus is involved in wakefullness and
consciousness, such as though the SCN.[8]
The hypothalamus engages in functions of a number of primitive emotions or feelings

such as hunger, thirst and maternal bonding. This is regulated partly through control
of secretion of hormones from the pituitary gland. Additionally the hypothalamus
plays a role in motivation and many other behaviors of the individual.[8]
Cerebrum[edit]
Main articles: Cerebrum, Cerebral cortex, Basal ganglia, Amygdala, and Hippocampus
The cerebrum of cerebral hemispheres make up the largest visual portion of the
human brain. Various structures combine to form the cerebral hemispheres, among
others: the cortex, basal ganglia, amygdala and hippocampus. The hemispheres
together control a large portion of the functions of the human brain such as emotion,
memory, perception and motor functions. Apart from this the cerebral hemispheres
stand for the cognitive capabilities of the brain. [8]
Connecting each of the hemispheres is the corpus callosum as well as several
additional commissures.[8] One of the most important parts of the cerebral
hemispheres is the cortex, made up of gray matter covering the surface of the brain.
Functionally, the cerebral cortex is involved in planning and carrying out of everyday
tasks.[8]
The hippocampus is involved in storage of memories, the amygdala plays a role in

perception and communication of emotion, while the basal ganglia play a major role
in the coordination of voluntary movement.[8]
The brain is an organ that serves as the center of the nervous system in

all vertebrate and most invertebrate animals. The brain is located in the head,
usually close to the sensory organs for senses such as vision. The brain is the most
complex organ in a vertebrate's body. In a human, the cerebral cortex contains
approximately 14–16 billion neurons,[1] and the estimated number of neurons in
the cerebellum is 55–70 billion.[2] Each neuron is connected by synapses to several
thousand other neurons. These neurons communicate with one another by means of
long protoplasmic fibers called axons, which carry trains of signal pulses called action
potentials to distant parts of the brain or body targeting specific recipient cells.

Brainstem Medulla Pons Midbrain

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Brainstem Medulla Pons Midbrain

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Brainstem Medulla Pons Midbrain

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Brainstem[edit]

The brainstem consists of the medulla, the pons and the midbrain. The medulla can be

Regulatory functions of the medulla nuclei include control of the blood

The brainstem also hold the reticular formation, a group of nuclei involved in

The hypothalamus engages in functions of a number of primitive emotions or feelings

The hippocampus is involved in storage of memories, the amygdala plays a role in

The brain is an organ that serves as the center of the nervous system in

You might also like