Brain Overview

Cards (10)

  • Hindbrain
    The 'lower brain' supporting bodily functions, movement, and balance; includes brainstem, medulla, pons, cerebellum, and part of the reticular formation.
  • Medulla
    Continuation of the spine; controls breathing, heartbeat, and digestion.
  • Pons
    Receives visual information to control eye and body actions; sits above the medulla.
  • Cerebellum
    Walnut-shaped area that coordinates body movement; receives information from the pons.
  • Midbrain
    Sits above the hindbrain and below the forebrain; regulates sleep, motor movement, and arousal.
  • Reticular Formation
    Network of neurons part of both midbrain and hindbrain; important in control of arousal and sleeping/waking cycle.
  • Forebrain
    Includes cerebrum, hypothalamus, and thalamus; responsible for higher brain functions.
  • Cerebrum
    Biggest part of the forebrain; covered by cerebral cortex and divided into left and right hemispheres.
  • Hypothalamus
    Small structure controlling basic survival actions like sleep, body temperature, emotions, and 'F's - feeding, fighting, fleeing, and fornication.
  • Thalamus
    Communications center of the brain; receives sensory information from ears, eyes, and skin (except nose) and regulates overall activity in the cortex.