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Brain Structure: Images From Time Magazine
Brain Structure: Images From Time Magazine
This image shows the major lobes of the brain. You need to know where the major lobes are
located and what each lobe does in terms of function (see below for functional descriptions)
Here we see the interior of the brain. Again you need to know the locations and functions of
these labeled parts of the brain.
This inside view of the brain shows the Limbic Lobe , which is not visible from outside the brain.
The limic lobe has been implicated in sexual and emotional behavior as well as the encoding of
some memories.
The Basal Ganglia is a collection of nerve bundles that is primarily responsible for motor
programming.
The Thalamus is a collection of pathways that connects peripheral sensory organs to the various
sensory corticies. Behind the Thalamus is the Pineal Gland , which controls body rhythms and
sexual activity.
The Hypothalamus controls the visceral nervous system, guiding actions such as thirst,
temperature regulation, and glanduar secretions in the organs.
Brainstem
This is a dissection of the very oldest portion of the brain, the part of the brain that sits on top of
the spinal cord.
The Midbrain controls reflex patterns associated with vision and hearing.
The Pons serves as a relay station between the cerebral cortex and the cerebellum.
The Medulla controls vital functions such as respiration and heartbeat.
The Cerebellum controls sychronized movements.
As we begin to talk about brain scans and locations of lesions, we need a common way of
describing directions in the brain. The scanners that we use typically take slices, or planes,
through the brain, and the major slices are given names.
The Median Plane cuts lengthwise through the middle of the brain.
The Saggital Plane is parallel to the Median Plane, but off the main axis.
The Coronal Plane is perpendicular to the Median Plane, running right between your ears.
The Horizontal Plane runs parallel to the ground as you stand upright.