Brain | Brainstem, Cerebellum, Diencephalon, Cerebrum

Brain | Brainstem, Cerebellum, Diencephalon, Cerebrum 

Brain

It is part of CNS present in cranial cavity. It is a control center for many of body’s functions

Parts of the brain

1. Brainstem
2. Cerebellum
3. Diencephalon
4. Cerebrum

Cranial nerves

Part of Peripheral Nervous System arise directly from brain.

1: Brainstem

It connects spinal cord to brain

Parts

• Medulla oblongata
• Pons
• Midbrain

Medulla oblongata or medulla

It regulates heart rate, vomiting, hiccupping, coughing, blood vessel diameter, respiration, swallowing, and sneezing

Pyramids: Decussate

Pons

Sleep and respiratory center.

Midbrain

Integral part of auditory pathways in central nervous system.

2: Cerebellum

It is involved in control of locomotion, balance, posture, and fine motor coordination for producing smooth flowing movements.

3: Diencephalon

Thalamus

It is largest part of diencephalon, receives most sensory inputs and influences mood and actions as fear or anger.

Subthalamus

It is involved in controlling motor functions

Epithalamus

 Sleep-wake cycle may be influence by pineal gland.

4: Cerebrum

It is largest portion of brain which controls conscious perception, thought, and conscious motor activity and control most other systems

Divisions

Right

Left

Lobes: Frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal

Basal nuclei

They are a group of functionally related nuclei present bilaterally in the inferior cerebrum, diencephalon, and midbrain. They control motor function.

Limbic system

Parts of the cerebrum and diencephalon are grouped together to form limbic system.

It is involved in basic survival functions as memory, reproduction, nutrition. It interprets sensory inputs and emotions.

Meninges

They are connective tissue membranes surrounding spinal cord and brain

Dura mater---Superficial

Arachnoid mater: intermediate

Pia mater---Bound tightly to brain

Spaces

Subdural (between Dura mater and arachnoid mater), filled Serous fluid.

Subarachnoid (between arachnoid mater and piamater), filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Ventricles

Ventricles are hollow tubes, smaller reduced in some areas of the adult central nervous system and expanded in other areas.

There are 4 ventricles in brain

• Two lateral ventricles, one in each cerebral hemisphere,
•    Third ventricle,
•    Fourth ventricle

                   CSF is present in these ventricles.