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If the human brain were so simple that we could understand it, we would

be so simple that we couldn’t…..

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General AnatomyGeneral Anatomy

• Encased in meninges– Tough, fibrous protective

covering• Ventricles & central canal

– Cavities in brain & spinal cord

• Contain cerebrospinal fluid to protect, cushion, & nourish brain & spinal cord

Brain Development & Evolution Brain Development & Evolution • Develops from anterior

bulges of early nerve cord– Hindbrain contains

more primitive brain(brainstem), forebrain contains more advanced brain (cerebrum)

– Cerebrum will form left & right hemispheres

• Major regions present in humans at 1 month

BrainstemBrainstem• General function-

homeostasis (involuntary functions), coordination, transmit info between “higher” brain& spinal cord

• 4 regions:– Medulla oblongata & pons-

breathing, heart rate, swallowing, digestion, etc

– Midbrain-receives & processes sensory info, esp. auditory & visual

– Cerebellum-large scale body movement, balance, position of body parts, hand-eye coordination

• Reticular formation-regulates sleep & arousal– Filtering system

• Thalamus– Receives majority of

sensory info, relays to proper part of cerebrum

– Relays signals between cerebrum & motor neurons

– Regulates emotion

• Hypothalamus– Homeostatic regulation

• Controls pituitary gland which controls hunger, thirst, temp., fight or flight

• Circadian rhythms, rage, pleasure

• Both are a part of limbic system

cerebrumcerebrum• Most highly developed part

of brain• Responsible for cognitive

functions– Reasoning, learning, self-

awareness• Convolutions increase

surface area-more is better!• Right & left hemispheres

– Connected by corpus callosum

Cerebral LobesCerebral Lobes

Lateralization of FunctionLateralization of Function

Left Brain• Speech• Language

comprehension• Calculations• Logical thought• Problem solving

Right Brain• Perceptual & spatial

capabilities• Recognition of objects

& routes• Musical/artistic ability• Emotions• creativity

right brain controls left side of body & vice versa

Limbic SystemLimbic System

• Seat of emotions• Contains centers

for memory– Hippocampus &

amygdala

Sheep BrainSheep Brain