Our brain does a lot for us. It controls everything our body does, translates signals and information interpreted by our five senses, keeps memories in a format we can understand, and creates emotion– all wrapped up into a 3 pound organ! The main components of the brain are the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem, all of which are kept safe and secure inside the skull. Our central nervous system (CNS), included the brain and spinal cord, while the peripheral system consists of branching spinal and cranial nerves.
The cerebrum, the largest part of the brain, contains a left and right hemisphere connected by fibers called corpus callosum. Here, we interpret images, sounds, touch, and form speech, reasoning skills, emotion, learning, and fine motor control. Interestingly enough, the two lobes control opposite sides of the body, so a stroke on the right lobe may paralyze your left side. To stereotype the sides a bit, the left deals with speech, understanding new topics, math, and writing, while the right focuses on the more creative aspects of life.
Underneath the cerebrum is the cerebellum, which organizes larger movements, posture, and balance. Finally, the brainstem ties the system altogether by connecting the cerebrum and cerebellum to the spinal cord. It also regulates automatic body functions such as breathing, internal temperature, sleep cycles, and sneezing.
Our two hemispheres contain 4 lobes each, a frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital one. Each one does not have a separate function; instead, they work together to function properly.
Frontal lobe
- Emotions, personality
- Problem solving and logic
- Motion
- Intelligence
Parietal lobe
- Speech
- Interprets senses
- Vision perception
- Stores memory
Occipital lobe
- Interprets color, light, and movement
Temporal lobe
- Interpreting language
- Memory
- Controls hearing
- Organizes thoughts into patterns
Come back next week for a continuation of the brain series, part 2!
