Diagram of Human Brain

The human brain is the commanding center of the nervous system. The human nervous system is divided into the central nervous system(CNS) and peripheral nervous system(PNS). The central nervous system consists of the Brain and the spinal cord whereas the peripheral nervous system consists of the nerves that transmit the nerve impulses from the brain and spinal cord to different parts of the body.

Diagram of the Human Brain

The labeled diagram of the human brain is given below:

Human Brain

The human brain is protected inside the skull which weighs about 3 pounds of which 60% is made up of fat and 40% of carbohydrates, water, protein, and salts. It is also made up of nerves, neurons, blood vessels, and glial cells. The outer part of the brain is dark in color and is known as grey matter while the inner part is lighter and is called white matter. Grey matter is primarily composed of neurons and the white matter with axons.

Parts of the Brain

The Brain is divided into three parts; forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain. The forebrain is the largest and highly developed part which comprises of the cerebrum. The midbrain controls the reflex action of the body and the hind brain comprises of the cerebellum and brain stem which is connected to the spinal cord.

Cerebrum

This is the largest part of the brain making up to 80% located in the front and top of the skull. The cerebrum is very important as it interprets touch, sight, and sound it also regulates learning, reading, and emotions. There are various parts in the cerebrum and they are:

• Cerebral cortex: is the outer layer of the cerebrum which has wrinkles and makes the brain look like a walnut. The cerebral cortex is divided into 2 hemispheres and is connected by the corpus callosum which is a collection of nerve fibres that transmits nerve impulses from one side of the brain to the other side.
• Thalamus: it is the relay station that collects information from the sense organ and sends it to various parts of the cerebrum.
• Hypothalamus: this part manages the endocrine and the nervous system which thereby controls the functions of the whole body like maintaining and managing the body’s temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure.
• Hippocampus: along with the temporal lobe helps to store and manage memories in areas of the cerebrum and fetches them when needed.

Cerebellum

The part of the brain located at the back of the head above the spinal cord is the cerebellum which means “little brain” in Latin. There are horizontal grooves from top to bottom and it is greyish pink in colour. It is small compared to the cerebrum which helps to maintain balance, posture, coordination, and fine motor skills.

Brain stem

It is a stalk-like part that connects the cerebrum to the spinal cord and is made up of midbrain pons and medulla.

Midbrain

It is a complex structure that is made up of neuron clusters and neural pathways and is responsible for regulating eye movements, hearing, and response to external stimuli. The midbrain also has an area called the substantial nigra that is rich in dopamine neurons that enables movement and coordination.

Pons

Pons is the place where four cranial nerves originate and they are responsible for various activities like chewing, tear production, blinking, vision, balance, facial expression, and hearing. Pons acts as a bridge between the midbrain and medulla.

Medulla

This part is present at the bottom of the brainstem and it is essential for survival as it regulates important body functions like maintaining heart rhythm, breathing, blood flow, and maintaining oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. The medulla also produces certain reflexive actions like coughing, sneezing,swallowing, and vomiting.

Coverings of Human Brain

The brain is covered by three layers of protective coverings called meninges

• Dura matter: it is the outermost layer which is thick and tough and has two layers; the periosteal layer lines the cranium and the bottom layer is the meningeal layer. The space between the layers has veins and arteries that supply blood to the brain.
• Arachnoid matter: it a thin weblike layer that is made up of connective tissues below the layer is the cerebrospinal fluid that cushions the entire nervous system.
• Pia matter: it is a thin membrane that is rich in veins and arteries

Lobes of the Brain

The hemisphere of the brain is divided into four lobes; frontal lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe, and occipital lobe.

• Frontal lobe: this is the largest lobe of the brain that is located in the front of the head and it is responsible for movement, decision-making, and personality characteristics.
• Parietal lobe: it is the middle part of the brain that helps the person to identify objects, interpret pain, and touch. It has an area called Wernicke’s area that helps to understand language.
• Occipital lobe: this is present at the backside of the brain that is involved in vision
• Temporal lobe: the lobes are present at the side of the brain that are involved in short-term memory, musical rhythm, smell recognition, and speech.

FAQ’s on a Diagram of Brain

1. What is the Main Function of the Brain?

The Brain is a complex organ that controls different processes like memory, sensory mechanisms, thinking, and voluntary and involuntary actions. The Brain along with the spinal cord forms the Central nervous system.

2. What is the Shape of the Brain?

The outer appearance of the brain is like a walnut as it has a deeply wrinkled and folded cerebral cortex that handles many signals that are responsible for movement and perception.

3. What are the Four major Regions of the Hemisphere?

The four major regions of the hemisphere are; the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe, and occipital lobe.

4. What is the Biggest Part of the Brain?

The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain that has two hemispheres; right and left. The cerebrum controls speech, movement, intelligence, emotion, and hearing.

5. Where is the Brain Located?

The Brain is located inside the bony structure called cranium which protects the brain from injury. The cranium and the bones that protect the face are called skull.