Brain Anatomy

 Brain Anatomy

What is a Brain?

The brain is a complex organ of the central nervous system made up of interneurons mostly and protected by the skull and meninges that control all body functions and activities. The human brain usually weighs up to 1.34 Kg (almost 3 pounds).

The brain controls body functions by receiving information from the five senses such as smell, sight, taste, touch and hearing. The main function of the brain is to assemble information in such a way that it may be easily understood. It also performs the function of coordination by receiving sensory signals through sensory neurons, processing the information and sending impulses through motor neurons due to which our body performs specific functions.

How Brain is Protected?

Since it is the most important functional organ in the body, it is protected by a thick protective bone called a skull and layers of fibrous tissues called meninges.

Parts of the Human Brain:

The brain is divided into three main parts i.e. Forebrain, Midbrain and Hindbrain.

The forebrain, also known as prosencephalon is the largest part of the brain which is divided into the telencephalon and diencephalon.

The telencephalon is further divided into;

1.   Cerebrum
2.   olfactory bulb.
3.  limbic system

The diencephalon is further divided into

1.   thalamus
2.   hypothalamus
3.  pituitary gland
4. amygdala
5.  hippocampus.

Midbrain: Midbrain or mesencephalon is the middle part of the brain. It passes on signals between brain and signal cord and manages the basic involuntary functions of the body.

Midbrain has four main parts namely;

1. tectum
2.  tegmentum
3. cerebral peduncle
4.  cerebral aqueduct

Hind Brain: Hind brain is the most posterior part of the brain that mainly consists of the lower part of the brainstem. It mainly consists of;

•  cerebellum
• pons
• medulla oblongata

Brain Ventricles: Apart from the main parts of brain, there are some special structures present in the hollow cavities of the brain called ventricles.

There are four main ventricles of the brain as following;

•  two lateral ventricles
• the third ventricle
•   the last ventricle.