Categories: GENERAL BIOLOGYZOOLOGY

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 thinking and ideas are born in the brain. The brain is integrated into the Central Nervous System and is composed of thousands of neurons that promote the constant mind and body relationship. We can divide the brain according to its four main lobes and according to its 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

The most important parts of the human brain

We live in a technological era in which we are very often surprised at the power of the 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 some ways remains a great unknown.

The cerebral cortex encompasses two hemispheres and four lobes. The function of the right hemisphere is to regulate the motor and motor functions of the left side of the organism. 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 joined by a common point of nerve fibers.

Lobes of the brain

The brain can be divided into four lobes:

The parietal lobe 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.
The frontal lobe is the part of the brain that most differentiates the human being as a rational being from the rest of beings. The frontal lobe regulates functional memory and language. It is the part of the brain that works from conscious thought.
The occipital lobe 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 around us.
The temporal lobe is the part responsible for 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)

The brain and its parts

Often, we 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 and the 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 organism as posture, balance, and coordination.
The hypothalamus regulates the functions of the organism, for example, sleep cycles, body temperature, hunger, and mood.
Language is one of the most characteristic expressions of the humanity of the person. Well, the parts of the brain that regulate speech are Broca’s area (it is part of the frontal lobe and is the center of speech) and Wernicke’s area (it promotes understanding of oral and written language). In this other article, you can find more information about the area of Broca and Wernicke.
The hippocampus is a brain area that promotes the storage of memories and learning.

Next, we show you an image to give you an idea of how a real human brain works and what its parts are.

How does the human brain work?

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

Daniel Goleman in his book Emotional Intelligence 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 an answer. An internal fact can also generate an emotional movement, for example, a thought. Well, the amygdala is an essential core of these processes.

Main functions of the brain

Now that we have commented on 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, in reality, the central nervous system is formed by different organs, so we will try to define the functions of each of these organs.

1. Brain functions

As we have defined above, 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, the regulation of emotions …

3. Functions of the medulla oblongata

The medulla is the bridge between the brain and the spinal cord, in it, we find many 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 to connect the brain with the rest of the body and with the autonomic nervous system.

How to take care of the brain

The brain is a really important organ of the organism. Therefore, taking care of it is an act of self-love. How can you take care of the brain? From the neurological point of view, it is advisable to make logic games or practice any activity that allows the mind to be activated, 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, for this reason, although the routine is a pleasant state of the comfort zone, try to find the balance of integrating the surprise factor. For example, travel new itineraries to go from work to home. In addition, the sense of humor affects your brain in a very positive way, therefore, enjoy more and laugh more.

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

This article is purely informative, in Psychology-Online we have no power to make a diagnosis or recommend treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to discuss your particular case.

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