Brain Parts & Their Functions
The outer covering of the brain, called the cerebral cortex, carries out the higher thinking normally associated with the organ of intelligence. Indeed, the cerebral cortex carries out planning, logic, perception, and motor control. However, none of this would be possible without other, less well-known parts of the brain.
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Pons and Medulla
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The pons and medulla form the brain stem, which sits at the base of the brain and is considered the most primitive part of the human brain. They control involuntary body functions, such as breathing, heart rate, swallowing and digestion.
Cerebellum
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The cerebellum forms a ball which sits just underneath the rear of cerebral cortex and behind the brain stem. Another part of the brain that evolved early on, it helps maintain balance and coordination. The cerebellum also plays an important role in procedural learning.
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Midbrain
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The most important feature of the midbrain is the reticular formation that looks like a long, skinny network of neurons in the lower center of the brain. The reticular formation regulates consciousness, including sleep, and filters stimuli from the environment.
Thalamus
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Shaped like two eggs in the center of the brain, the thalamus sorts through messages from the eyes, ears, tongue and skin. It then sends the messages to the appropriate areas of the cerebral cortex for processing.
Hypothalamus
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The hypothalamus is tiny but its role is great. It maintains body temperature, blood pressure and blood volume. It controls the glands, and therefore the hormones, of the body. Hence, the hypothalamus affects emotion, stress, sexual activity, eating and drinking.
Limbic System
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The limbic system is comprised of the amygdala, which influences fear and aggression, and the hippocampus, which is essential to forming memories. Many mental illnesses related to high anxiety, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, involve the amygdala.
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