The Structure of the Brain

Cerebrum:

This region is the largest part of the human brain and is associated with higher brain functions like thought, action, and sensory processing.
It’s at the top of the central nervous system and is divided into two hemispheres which each handle different tasks.
Each hemisphere has four lobes: the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, and temporal lobe. These specific areas handle different tasks and communicate via the** corpus callosum**.

Cerebellum:

The cerebellum is located underneath the cerebrum at the back of the brain. Its main function is to coordinate voluntary movements and maintain posture, balance, and motor learning.

Brain Stem:

The brain stem is located at the base of the brain and controls a number of fundamental functions. These include heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing.
It’s made up of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata.

Pituitary Gland:

Known as the body’s ‘master gland’, the pituitary gland controls most other hormone glands in the body and affects growth, sexual development, metabolism and human reproduction.

Amygdala and Hippocampus:

These are parts of the limbic system. The amygdala is vital for processing emotions, especially fear and aggression, while the hippocampus is important for memory formation.

Hypothalamus:

The hypothalamus is a small region at the base of the brain which plays a crucial role in functions like hunger, thirst, body temperature, and sleep. It also controls the release of hormones from the pituitary gland.

Remember, understanding these parts of the brain and their functions allows us to better understand how different regions influence our behaviour and responses. For example, damage to specific areas can cause deficits in certain functions, such as memory loss, changes in personality, or motor control issues.