Question

Describe the major regions of the brain and include as part of your answer the functions of each. What feature divides the left from the right cerebral hemispheres?

Answer 1

The major parts of the brain are:

• Cerebrum: This is the largest part of the brain. It is composed of the right and left hemispheres. It performs higher functions like interpreting touch, vision, and hearing, as well as speech. It also the center for emotions, learning, reasoning, and fine control of movement.
• Cerebellum: The cerebellum is located under the cerebrum. Three lobes of the cerebellar lobe can be described within the cerebellum: the anterior lobe, the posterior lobe, and the flocculonodular lobe. It receives information from the sensory systems, the spinal cord, and other parts of the brain and utilizes it to coordinate muscle movements, maintain posture, and balance.
• Brainstem: It consists of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata. It connects the cerebrum and cerebellum to the spinal cord and acts as a relay center. It performs many automatic functions such as breathing, heart rate, body temperature, wake and sleep cycles, digestion, swallowing, etc. The medulla contains centers that regulate cardiac activity and respiration.

The longitudinal fissure separates the two cerebral hemispheres into left and right halves. It is also known as the cerebral fissure or interhemispheric fissure. The two cerebral hemispheres are connected by a structure called the corpus callosum.