Introduction

That part of the central nervous system that is

located within the cranium (skull). The brain functions as the primary receiver, organizer and distributor of information for the body. Brain is continuous with the spinal cord, and composed of gray matter and white matter. It is the primary center for the regulation and control of bodily activities, receiving and interpreting sensory impulses, and transmitting information to the muscles and body organs. It is also the seat of consciousness, thought, memory, and emotion.

Main Parts of the brain

Medulla oblongata Hind brain Cerebellum Pons

BRAIN

Mid brain

Cerebrum Fore brain Hypothalamus Thalamus

Ventricles
There are four cavities within brain which are known

as ventricles. Each ventricles contains a capillary network called as choroid plexus that forms the cerebrospinal fluid(CSF),from blood plasma.

Parts of the brain

MEDULLA: It extends from this spinal cord to the pons and is anterior to the cerebelum. Its functions are those known as vital signs. It contains I. Cardiac centers that regulate heart rate II. Vasomotor center that regulates the diameter of blood vessels and blood pressure III. Respiratory centers that regulate breathing.

Pons: (its a latin word meaning bridge)

It bulges anteriorly from the upper part of the

medulla. Two respiratory centers are present that work in co-ordination with medulla to produce normal breathing rhythm. Others neurons in the pons connect the medulla with other parts of the brain.

Mid Brain:
It extends from the pons to the hypothalumus

and encloses the cerebral aqueduct (tunel that connects the third and fourth ventricles). Different types of reflexes are integrated in the midbrain, including visual and auditory reflexes. And also righting reflexes (that keeps head upright and maintain balance).

Cerebellum:
It is separated from the medulla and the pons by

the fourth ventricle and is inferior to the occipital lobes of cerebrum. Many of its functions are concerned with movement (involuntory). It functions below the level of conscious thought, to avoid over burden of the conscious brain. It is also involved in certain sensory functions.

Hypothalamus:
It is located superior to the pitutary gland and inferior to the thalamus. It is small area of the brain with many diverse functions. It produces of ADH (Antidiuretic Hormone) and Oxytocin. It produces releasing hormones . It regulates body temperature. Regulates food intake. Integrates the functioning of ANS. Stimulates visceral responces during emotional situations. Regulates body rhythms.

Thalamus:
It is superior to hypothalamus and inferior to the

cerebrum. III ventricle is a narrow cavity that pass through both thalamus and hypothalamus. Many of its functions are concerned with sensation. Senseory impulses to the brain (expert those for sense of smell) follow neuron pathways that first enter the thalamus, which groups the impulses, and then relay to the cerebrum, where sensation are felt. Some unpleasant sensations such as pain are felt by the thalamus. It cant localize the sensation. It also supress unimportant sensation. Some parts of it are involved in alertness and awareness, and others contribute to memory.

Cerebrum:
The largest parts of the brain is the cerebrum,

which consists of two hemispheres separated by the longitudinal fissure. At the base of this deep groove is the corpus callosum, band of 200 million neurons that connects the right and left hemisphere. Within each hemisphere is a lateral ventricle. The surface of cerebrum is grey matter called cerebral cortex. Grey matter consists of cell bodies of neurons which carry out many functions.

 Internal to gray matter is white matter, made of

myelinated axons and dendrites that connect the lobes of the cerebrum to one another and to all other parts of the brain. In human brain cerebral cortex is folded extensively, and these folds are known as gyri, and the grooves bet them are sulci. This difference enables us to read, write etc that other animals cant do. Cerebral cortex is divided into: frontal lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe and occipital lobe.

Frontal lobe:
Within the frontal lobes are the motor areas that

generate impulse for voluntary movements. The left motor area controls movement of the right and vice versa. Anterior to the motor area premotor area, which is concerned with learned motor skills. The parts of the frontal lobes just behind the eyes are the prefrontal or orbitofrontal cortex. This area is concerned with thing such as keeping emotional responses accumulation to the situation. The left lobe for right handed people, is Brocas motor speech area.

Parietal lobe: The general sensory areas The left area is for the right side of the body and vice versa. Temporal lobes: The olfactary areas in the temoral lobes receive impulses from receptors in the nasal cavities for the sense of smell. Contains auditory areas, receive impulse from receptors in the inner ear for hearing.

Occipital lobes:
Visual areas. The visual association areas interpret what is seen

and enable the thinking cerebrum to use the information. Other parts of the occipitial lobes are concerned with spatial relationship; The cerebral cortex has the characteristic of neural plasticity. The younger the person, the more plastic the brain. As we get older, this ability diminishes, but is still present.

Association areas:
Many parts of the cerebral cortex are not

concerned with movement or a particular sensation. It is called association areas. Hippocampus (Greek word sea horse) part of the temporal lobe on the floor of the lateral ventricle. Two hippocampas seem to collect information from many areas of the cerebral cortex. Loss of association area will led to Alzheimers disease.

Basal Ganglia:

It is a paired masses of grey matter with in the white

matter of the cerebral hemisphere. They work with cerebellum. Their functions are certain subconscious aspects of voluntary movement.

Corpus callosum:

It is a band of nerve fibers that connects the left and

right cerebral hemispheres. This enables each hemisphere to know of the activity of the other. The left hemisphere contains speech areas and the right hemisphere dosenot. It let the left hemisphere what the right is thinking about and vice versa.