Chapter 46. Brain Areas Within the Head

Learning Objectives

brain
largest part of the central nervous system; consists of about 80 billion neurons organized into networks for processing sensory information, storing memories, and controlling behavior
brainstem
lowest portion of the brain, just above spinal cord; consists of the medulla, pons, midbrain, and reticular formation
cerebellum
brain structure that coordinates body movement and balance; involved in simple forms of learning
cerebral cortex
six thin layers of interconnected neurons that cover the outer surface of the brain and do most of the brain's processing
corpus callosum
band of neural fibers carrying messages between hemispheres
frontal lobe
front portion of each hemisphere; initiates speech and muscle movements; involved in planning and decision making
hemisphere
one half of the brain; divided into four lobes
medulla
part of brainstem that controls breathing, heartbeat, and other vital functions
MRI (magnetic resonance imagery)
method of producing a detailed brain scan by using radio waves to disrupt magnetically aligned atoms in the brain
occipital lobe
lower back part of each hemisphere; processes sensory input for vision
parietal lobe
upper back part of each hemisphere; processes sensory input for touch and body position
pons
part of brainstem that relays messages between the cerebellum and the cerebral cortex to help coordinate body movements; plays a role in sleep
reticular formation
part of brainstem that filters incoming sensory stimuli and helps regulate arousal and alertness
temporal lobe
lower side of each hemisphere; processes sensory input for hearing
thalamus
brain structure that relays sensory messages to the cortex and movement messages to the cerebellum
Brain Areas Within the Head
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Learning Objectives:

Identify the major structures of the brain.

Locate the major structures of the brain within the head.

Describe the functions of the major structures of the brain.

Review

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1. The brain exploration tool called MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) provides very clear images of brain anatomy. Because these images look like textbook illustrations, the brain structures can be identified and labeled on an MRI scan.

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2. A typical MRI scan (the image on the left) shows the side view of a person’s head, which usually reveals the inner (medial) view of the opposite hemisphere. This MRI shows the left side of a person’s head, revealing the medial view of the right hemisphere. Compare the MRI with the illustration (the image on the right) showing the outside (lateral) view of the left hemisphere.

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3. The upper portion of this MRI scan is the cerebral cortex, which is divided into four lobes. The frontal lobe is specialized for planning and decision making, and initiates muscle movements. The frontal lobe also contains the speech center, usually in the left hemisphere.

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4. The parietal lobe processes input from the body’s senses of touch, temperature, and pain. The occipital lobe processes information from the eyes. The temporal lobe, which is often hidden in a medial view, processes information from the ears.

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5. In the center portion of the MRI scan, the corpus callosum is the large band of fibers that connects the right hemisphere with the left hemisphere. Below that is the thalamus, the relay station for all the sensory systems except smell. Information from vision, hearing, taste, and touch travels first to the thalamus, and then to the areas of the cerebral cortex specialized for processing that information.

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6. At the bottom center of the MRI scan, we can see the structures of the lower brain. The cerebellum controls smooth, coordinated movements, and also is involved in simple forms of learning. In front of the cerebellum is the brainstem, which consists of the medulla, pons, and reticular formation (hidden within the medulla and pons). The medulla regulates breathing and heart rate. The pons has a role in sleep, and works with the cerebellum in coordinating movements.

Practice 1: Interior Brain Structures

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Practice 1: Interior Brain Structures

Roll over the head to reveal the brain structures within each part of the head. Then select the “Explore the brain” button to review the names and functions of the brain structures visible in a “medial” (inner) view of the right hemisphere.

Courtesy Tom Ludwig
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Practice 2: Exterior Brain Structures

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Practice 2: Exterior Brain Structures

Roll over the head to reveal the brain structures within it. Then, select the “Explore the brain” button to review the names and functions of the brain structures visible in a “lateral” (outside) view of the left hemisphere.

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Quiz 1

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Quiz 1

Drag each label to the appropriate brain structure. When all the labels have been placed, select the CHECK ANSWER button.

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Perhaps you should go back to review the structures of the brain.
Select the NEXT button and move to Quiz 2.
Thalamus
Corpus callosum
Frontal lobe
Temporal lobe
Parietal lobe
Pons
Occipital lobe
Cerebellum
Medulla

Quiz 2

dnd_test

Quiz 2

Drag each label to the appropriate brain structure. When all the labels have been placed, select the CHECK ANSWER button.

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Perhaps you should go back to review the structures of the brain.
Select the NEXT button and move to Quiz 3.
Frontal lobe
Temporal lobe
Parietal lobe
Pons
Occipital lobe
Cerebellum
Medulla

Quiz 3

matching_test

Quiz 3

Match the brain structures to their functions by dragging each colored circle to the appropriate gray circle. When all the circles have been placed, select the CHECK ANSWER button.

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Perhaps you should go back to review the key terms related to the structures of the brain.
frontal lobe
parietal lobe
occipital lobe
temporal lobe
corpus callosum
medulla
pons
thalamus
cerebellum
processes sensory input for touch and body position
band of neurons carrying messages between hemispheres
initiates speech and muscle movements; involved in making plans and decisions
processes sensory input for vision
processes sensory input for hearing
controls breathing, heartbeat, and other vital functions
relays sensory messages to the cortex for processing
coordinates movement and balance; involved in simple forms of learning
plays a role in sleep and in coordinating movements

Conclusion

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