The human brain controls nearly every aspect of the human body ranging from physiological functions to cognitive abilities. It functions by receiving and sending signals via neurons to different parts of the body. The human brain, just like most other mammals, has the same basic structure, but it is better developed than any other mammalian brain.
The Human Brain
On average, an adult brain weighs between 1.0 kg – 1.5 kg. It is mainly composed of neurons – the fundamental unit of the brain and nervous system. Recent estimates have suggested that the brain contains anywhere between 86 billion to 100 billion neurons.
The brain, along with the spinal cord, constitutes the central nervous system. It is responsible for thoughts, interpretation, and origin of control for body movements.
Where is the Brain located?
The brain is enclosed within the skull, which provides frontal, lateral, and dorsal protection. The skull consists of 22 bones, 14 of which form the facial bones and the remaining 8 form the cranial bones. Anatomically, the brain is contained within the cranium and is surrounded by the cerebrospinal fluid.
The Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) is a fluid that circulates within the skull and spinal cord, filling up hollow spaces on the surface of the brain. Every day, the specialized ependymal cells produce around 500mL of cerebrospinal fluid.
The primary function of the CSF is to act as a buffer for the brain, cushioning mechanical shocks and dampening minor jolts. It also provides basic immunological protection to the brain.
Furthermore, CSF provides buoyancy for the brain. i.e., the brain is suspended in a layer of CSF, wherein, the weight of the brain is nearly negated. If the brain is not suspended in CSF, it would be impeded by its weight, consequently cutting off the blood supply in the lower half of the brain. It would lead to the death of neurons in the affected area.
Parts of the Human Brain
The following are the major parts of the human brain:
Forebrain – The largest part of the brain
It is the anterior part of the brain. The forebrain parts include:
- Cerebrum
- Hypothalamus
- Thalamus
Forebrain Function: Controls reproductive functions, body temperature, emotions, hunger, and sleep.
Fact: The largest of the forebrain parts is the cerebrum. It is also the largest part of all vertebrate brains.
Midbrain: Smallest and central part of the brain
The midbrain consists of:
- Tectum
- Tegmentum
Hindbrain: The lower part of the brain
The hindbrain is composed of:
- Cerebellum
- Medulla
- Pons
Hindbrain functions: The three regions of the hindbrain coordinate all processes necessary for survival. These induce breathing, heartbeat, sleep, wakefulness, and motor learning.
Cerebrum
The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain. It consists of the cerebral cortex and other subcortical structures. It is composed of two cerebral hemispheres that are joined together by heavy, dense bands of fiber called the corpus callosum. The cerebrum is further divided into four sections or lobes:
- Frontal lobe: It is associated with parts of speech, planning, reasoning, problem-solving, and movements.
- Parietal lobe: Help in movements, the perception of stimuli, and orientation.
- Occipital lobe: It is related to visual processing.
- Temporal lobe: This region is related to the perception and recognition of memory, auditory stimuli, and speech.
The brain consists of two types of tissues: Grey matter and White matter.
- Grey matter mainly consists of various types of cells, which make up the bulk of the brain.
- White matter is primarily composed of axons, which connect various grey matter areas of the brain with each other.
The exterior portion of the cerebrum is called the cortex or the cerebral mantle. The cortex is extremely convoluted, due to which, it has a large surface area. The cerebrum also includes:
- Sensory areas: To receive the messages.
- Association areas: These areas integrate the incoming sensory information. It also forms a connection between sensory and motor areas.
- Motor areas: This area is responsible for the action of the voluntary muscles.
Cerebrum Function
The cerebrum is responsible for thinking, intelligence, consciousness, and memory. It is also responsible for interpreting touch, hearing, and vision.
Thalamus
The thalamus is a small structure, located right above the brain stem responsible for relaying sensory information from the sense organs. It is also responsible for transmitting motor information for movement and coordination. The thalamus is found in the limbic system within the cerebrum. This limbic system is mainly responsible for the formation of new memories and storing past experiences.
Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus is a small and essential part of the brain, located precisely below the thalamus. It is considered the primary region of the brain, as it is involved in the following functions:
- Receives impulses
- Regulates body temperature
- Controls the mood and emotions
- Controls the sense of taste and smell
- Synthesises the body’s essential hormones
- Coordinates the messages from the autonomous nervous system
- Controls appetite, peristalsis, the rate of heartbeat, and blood pressure
- Forms an axis with the pituitary gland which is the main link between the nervous and the endocrine systems
Tectum
The tectum is a small portion of the brain, specifically the dorsal part of the midbrain. It serves as a relay center for the sensory information from the ears to the cerebrum. It also controls the reflex movements of the head, eye, and neck muscles. It provides a passage for the different neurons moving in and out of the cerebrum.
Tegmentum
Tegmentum is a region within the brainstem. It is a complex structure with various components, which is mainly involved in body movements, sleep, arousal, attention, and different necessary reflexes. It forms the platform for the midbrain and connects with the thalamus, cerebral cortex, and the spinal cord.
Cerebellum
The cerebellum is the second largest part of the brain, located in the posterior portion of the medulla and pons. The cerebellum and cerebrum are separated by cerebellar tentorium and transverse fissure. The cortex is the outer surface of the cerebellum, and its parallel ridges are called the folia. Apart from this, the cerebellum has cerebellar peduncles, cerebellar nuclei, and anterior and posterior lobes. The cerebellum consists of two hemispheres, the outer grey cortex and the inner white medulla. It is mainly responsible for coordinating and maintaining the body balance during walking, running, riding, swimming, and precision control of voluntary movements. The main functions of the cerebellum include:
- It senses equilibrium.
- Transfers information.
- Coordinates eye movement.
- It enables precision control of voluntary body movements.
- Predicts the future position of the body during a particular movement.
- Both anterior and posterior lobes are concerned with the skeletal movements.
- The cerebellum is also essential for making fine adjustments to motor actions.
- Coordinates and maintains body balance and posture during walking, running, riding, and swimming.
Medulla Oblongata
The medulla oblongata is a small structure present in the lowest region of the brain. It mainly controls the body’s autonomic functions such as heartbeat, breathing, and digestion. It plays a primary role in connecting the spinal cord, pons, and the cerebral cortex. Also, it helps us maintain our posture and control our reflexes.
Pons
The pons are the primary structure of the brain stem present between the midbrain and medulla oblongata. It serves as a relay signal between the lower cerebellum, spinal cord, midbrain, cerebrum, and other higher parts of the brain. The main functions of the pons include:
- Controlling sleep cycles.
- Regulating the magnitude and frequency of the respiration.
- Transfers information between the cerebellum and motor cortex.
- Pons is also involved in sensations, such as the sense of taste, hearing, and balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Explain how the nervous system is classified.
The nervous system in humans can be broadly classified into two types, namely, the peripheral nervous system and the central nervous system
2. Describe the Central Nervous System.
The central nervous system primarily consists of the brain and the spinal cord. The system coordinates and controls various aspects of life, ranging from physical attributes (heartbeat, breathing) to mental capabilities (memory, intelligence).
3. Explain the Peripheral Nervous System.
The nerves and ganglia that are present outside the brain and spinal cord contribute to the peripheral nervous system. The primary role of the PNS is to connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body, such as the limbs, and skin.
4. How is the brain protected in the body?
The brain is enclosed within the skull, where it is suspended in a layer of fluid called the cerebrospinal fluid. It protects the brain from minor mechanical shocks and jolts. Furthermore, it also serves minor immunological roles and provides the necessary nutrients required by the brain.
5. Briefly explain the parts of the brain.
Anatomically, the brain consists of the following parts:
- Forebrain
- Cerebrum
- Hypothalamus
- Thalamus
- Midbrain
- Tectum
- Tegmentum
- Hindbrain
- Cerebellum
- Medulla
- Pons
