How to Label the Human Brain

Modern science has learned more about the human brain in the last 15 years than it had in the 50 years before that. As such, it has become much easier to explain and label the key areas of the brain and their functions.
Understanding the brain and its functions can be helpful in comprehending many of our daily experiences. And labeling the brain can serve as a simple method of getting acquainted with some rather complex findings in neuroscience, making this a great introduction to neuroscience in general.

Instructions

1. The triune brain is a concept that scientist Paul MacLean used to describe the apparent record of evolutionary development in the structure of the human brain. As the name implies, the triune brain contains three major evolutionary developments: the reptilian brain, the lower mammalian brain and the higher mammalian brain. It is so called because it is theorized that the human brain evolved in exactly that order, so that it grew in complexity with the emergence of each new structure.
   So let's take a closer look at these useful brain labels, as well as their sub-labels, and see how useful they can be. For easy recognition, all labels start with capital letters.

2. REPTILIAN BRAIN
   The Reptilian Brain refers to the brainstem and cerebellum and is also called the R-Complex. Because reptilian brains are made up primarily of the brainstem and cerebellum, this brain structure has received the name of Reptilian Brain. It primarily mediates the involuntary and nonconscious functions of the central nervous system. These functions include breathing and the beating of the heart.
   The sub-labels of the Reptilian Brain are:
   • Brainstem: This is the lowest part of the brain that connects to the spinal cord. It is made up of two parts:
   1. medulla oblongata
   2. midbrain
   • Cerebellum: This part of the brain sits just behind the brainstem, and it mediates motor control functioning and the unification of sensory information.

3. LOWER MAMMALIAN BRAIN
   Also known as the limbic system, the Lower Mammalian Brain helps to govern emotions, motivation and instincts. Located deep within the middle of the brain, it is jokingly, but revealingly described as the center of the Four F's: feeding, fighting, fleeing and procreation. This structure receives its name due to the fact that all lower mammalian organisms share this brain structure, as well as its distinctive functions.
   Another distinguishing aspect of this brain structure is its tendency to mediate behavior that avoids pain and moves toward pleasure. As such, this is an important brain structure involved in practical motivation.
   The sub-labels of the Lower Mammalian Brain are:
   •amygdala, an almond-shaped structure that is involved in the fear response.
   •hypothalamus, which governs processes in the autonomic nervous system.
   •hippocampus, a structure involved in cognition and memory.

4. HIGHER MAMMALIAN BRAIN
   The Higher Mammalian Brain, also referred to as the neocortex or cerebral cortex, houses the most highly developed areas of the brain. This structure consists of the outer layer of the brain and is made up of two hemispheres, known as the cerebral hemispheres. It is involved in higher-order cognitive functions, language in humans, spatial perception and conscious thought.
   The cerebral hemispheres are made up of the left hemisphere and right hemisphere. Each of these hemispheres is made up of four lobes:
   A. Frontal lobe: Located in the front of the brain, this lobe is sometimes called the "CEO of the Brain" because it mediates executive decision-making and higher cognitive functioning.
   B. Parietal lobe: Located in the back of the brain, just above the occipital lobe, this lobe helps with integrating sensory information for spatial cognition and navigation.
   C. Occipital lobe: Located in the very back of the brain, this lobe governs visual perception.
   D. Temporal lobe: Located on the side of the brain, just above the ear, this lobe is involved with language, auditory perception and vision.

References

• The Brain: A Beginner's Guide; Ammar al-Chalabi; 2008