The celebrum contains neutrons that do not contain a myelin, and neutrons with a myelin that both enter and leave the cortex. The cortex contains all of the centers that receive and interpret sensory information, initiate movement, analyze information, reason and experience emotions. The centres for these tasks are located in different parts of the cortex.

Parts of the Cerebrum:

Cerebral Cortex: Controls learning, memory, our senses as well as the feelings experienced by our body. The cerebral cortex is the largest part of the human brain.

Cortex: Takes up a majority of the space on the exterior surface of the brain. The surface area of the brain is about 1,500 to 2,000 cm². To fit this surface area within the skull, the cortex is folded, forming folds (gyri) and grooves (sulci). Several large sulci divide the cortex into various lobes: the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe and temporal lobe and each lobe has a different function.

Interhemispheric fissure: Separates the brain into left and right halves. The halves communicate through a tract of fibres called the corpus callosum. Also, the right and left temporal lobes communicate through another tract of fibers near the rear of the brain called the anterior commissure.

The cortical area above the corpus callosum is divided by a groove called the cingulate sulcus and the area between this groove and the corpus callosum is called the cingulate gyrus, also referred to as the limbic system or limbic lobe. Deep within the cerebrum is the basal ganglia, amygdala and hippocampus.

In the brain, the connections are made by neurons that connect the sensory inputs and motor outputs with centres in the various lobes of the cortex. There are also connections between these cortical centres and other parts of the brain.

Several areas of the cerebrum have specialized functions:

• Parietal lobe: Receives and processes all somatosensory input from the body.

• Fibres from the spinal cord are distributed by the thalamus to various parts of the parietal lobe.

• The back of the parietal lobe, next to the temporal lobe has a section called Wernicke's area. A "sensory aphasia", in which an individual many not be able to understand language, but still produce some sounds, can be caused if there is damage to this area of the brain.

• Frontal lobe: Is involved in motor skills and cognitive functions. The remaining areas of the frontal lobe perform associative processes such as thought processes, learning and controlling memory.

• Pre-Central Gyrus: Is located in the back of the frontal lobe, just in front of the parietal lobe. It receives connections from the somatosensory portion in the parietal lobe and processes and initiates motor functions.

• Broca's Area: An area on the left side of the frontal lobe. It processes language and an individual will develop a condition where they will be able to understand language, but will not be able to produce meaningful sounds if damage is done to this area.

• Occipital lobe: Receives and processes visual information directly from the eyes and relates this information to the parietal lobe and frontal lobe. One of the things it must do is interpret the upside-down images that are projected onto the retina by the lens of the eye.

• Temporal lobe: Processes auditory information from the ears and relates it to Wernicke's area of the parietal lobe and the motor cortex of the frontal lobe.

• Insula: Influences automatic functions of the brainstem. The insula also processes taste information.

• Hippocampus: Is located within the temporal lobe and is important for short-term memory.

• Amygdala: Is located within the temporal lobe and controls emotions including social and sexual behavior.

• Basal ganglia: Works with the cerebellum to coordinate minor motions.

• Limbic system: Plays a large roll in emotional behavior and controlling movements of visceral muscles. This involves the muscles involved in our digestive tract and body cavities.

Your brain and spinal cord are covered by a series of tough membranes called meninges, which protect these organs from rubbing against the bones of the skull and spine. In addition, for even more protection, the brain and spinal cord float in cerebrospinal fluid within the skull and spine. This fluid is produced by the choroid plexus tissue, which is located within the brain, and flows through a series of ventricles out of the brain and down along the spinal cord. The cerebrospinal fluid is kept separate from the blood supply by the blood-brain barrier.

Top of Page