PARTS of the BRAIN and their Functions

  • Jul 26, 2021
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Parts of the brain and their functions

The brain is one of the most important parts of the human body. Thanks to the brain we can feel and process all the information that reaches our body through the senses. In addition, we must not forget that our thoughts and ideas are born in the brain. The brain is integrated into the Central Nervous System and is made up of thousands of neurons that promote the constant relationship between mind and body. We can divide the brain according to its four main lobes and according to their functions.

For this reason, in our article today, in Psychology-Online, we want to provide you with more information about the parts of the brain and their functions. In this way, you will be able to understand how our mind works. The brain is present in the most important processes of the human being, for example, in the daily act of breathing, eating, walking ...

You may also like: What is the reptilian brain: parts and functions

Index

  1. The most important parts of the human brain
  2. The brain and its parts
  3. How does the human brain work?
  4. Main functions of the brain
  5. How to take care of the brain

The most important parts of the human brain.

We live in a technological age in which we are very often amazed at the power of technique. However, the technique does not reach the perfection of the human body. This greatness of the organism is also evident in the potential of the brain, an organ that in a way remains a great unknown.

The cerebral cortex encompasses two hemispheres and four lobes. The role of right hemisphere is to regulate motor and motor functions on the left side of the body. The left hemisphere regulates the right side in the same way. Both hemispheres are joined by the corpus callosum. This corpus callosum separates both clearly differentiated parts of the brain structure. However, despite the difference, both areas are linked by a common point of nerve fibers.

Lobes of the brain

The brain can be divided into four lobes:

  1. The parietal lobe It is the part of the brain that regulates the data received from stimuli of the sense of touch, for example, the perception of pain, a pleasant caress or the sensation of cold.
  2. The frontal lobe It is the part of the brain that most differentiates the human being as a rational being from other beings. The frontal lobe regulates working memory and language. It is the part of the brain that works from conscious thought.
  3. The occipital lobe It is the part of the brain that processes visual data since the visual cortex is located there. For this reason, thanks to this information we can understand the environment that surrounds us.
  4. The temporal lobe It is the part in charge of perceiving and recognizing auditory stimuli and those linked to memory. This lobe is distributed on the sides of our head (at the height of the ears approximately)
Parts of the brain and their functions - The most important parts of the human brain

The brain and its parts.

We often use the term brain to refer to the enfecalo, the main organ of the central nervous system, the brain contains other parts such as the medulla oblongata and cerebellum. Next, we are going to mention the most important parts of the brain:

  • One of the most important parts of the brain is the cerebellum, located in the brain, and its function is to regulate such important aspects of the body as posture, balance and coordination.
  • The hypothalamus regulates body functions, for example sleep cycles, body temperature, hunger and mood.
  • Language is one of the expressions of humanity most typical of the person. Well, the parts of the brain that regulate speech are the Broca's area (It is part of the frontal lobe and is the center of speech) and the Wernicke area (promotes understanding of oral and written language). In this other article you can find more information about the Broca and Wernicke area.
  • The hippocampus It is a brain area that favors the storage of memories and learning.

Here is an image to give you an idea of ​​how a real human brain and what are its parts.

Parts of the brain and their functions - The brain and its parts

How does the human brain work?

If we want to know the brain and its functionsIt is important to remember that this is an organ of the nervous system. This system is in charge of receiving and processing the information that comes from the outside environment. In addition, thanks to the processing brain we can generate answers to information and external stimuli. If you want to know more, we recommend reading the following article about how it works in the nervous system.

Daniel Goleman in his book Emotional Intelligence[1] has valued this expression of emotions and feelings of the human being. Well, the part of the brain that manages this emotional information is the amygdala located in the limbic system. Human beings can not only experience emotions from an external fact that acts as a stimulus to which we give a response. An internal fact can also generate an emotional movement, for example, a thought. As well, the amygdala it is an essential core of these processes.

Here you can see limbic system anatomy:

Parts of the brain and their functions - How does the human brain work?

Main functions of the brain.

Now that we have discussed what the brain is responsible for in broad strokes, it is time to be a little more specific and define its functions according to the parts of the brain. As we have commented previously, the central nervous system is actually made up of different organs, so we will try to define the functions of each of these organs.

1. Brain functions

As we have defined previously, the main function of the brain is the processing of stimuli. All the information captured by the different sensory organs passes through this organ to be processed. Thanks to this, we can better understand the world around us.

2. Functions of the cerebellum

Many consider it the most primitive part of the brain, in it we find the unconscious processing of many functions aimed at the survival of the individual: balance, muscle activation, regulation of emotions...

3. Functions of the medulla oblongata

The medulla oblongata is the bridge between the brain and the spinal cord, in it we find a multitude of neuronal connections and bundles of nerve fibers that transfer information in both directions.

4. Functions of the spinal cord

Finally, the furthest (and largest) part of the brain is the spinal cord. This organ is part of the central nervous system and its main function is connect the brain with the rest of the body and with the autonomic nervous system.

Parts of the brain and their functions - Main functions of the brain

How to take care of the brain.

The brain is a really important organ of the body. Therefore, caring for it is an act of self-love. How can you take care of the brain? From a neurological point of view, it is recommended play logic games or practice any activity that allows activate mind, for example, reading.

Stress affects your brain, therefore, try to take care of this aspect that damages your memory, for example. The brain needs new stimuli to activate itself, for this reason, although the routine is a pleasant state of comfort zone, it tries to find the balance of integrating the surprise factor. For example, take new schedules to get from work to home. In addition, the sense of humor affects in a very positive way to your brain, therefore, enjoy more and laugh more.

Your daily habits also take care of your brain, for example, night rest.

This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

If you want to read more articles similar to Parts of the brain and their functions, we recommend that you enter our category of Neuropsychology.

References

  1. Goleman, Daniel. Emotional intelligence. Editorial Kairós, 2012.
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