An overview of the human brain anatomy

The human brain is unique in its anatomy. The brain consists of billions of nerve cells that are interconnected in a complex way. Nevertheless, the brain can be easily divided into different components and areas, some of which can be assigned specific functions. This article gives you an overview of the anatomy of the human brain.

Rough division of the brain into 5 parts

The human brain anatomy can be described in several ways. First, it makes sense to consider the brain (encephalon) divided into five main regions. These five areas of the brain are recognizable to varying degrees in all vertebrates:

• Endbrain, often also called cerebrum (telencephalon)
• diencephalon
• midbrain (mesencephalon)
• hindbrain (metencephalon)
• Nachhir (myelencephalon, also: extended marrow, medulla oblongata)

The designation of these main regions is based on the simple brain anatomy of lower vertebrates, in which the regions are arranged in a tubular manner one behind the other. Although the human brain is more complicated in comparison, these five brain parts are still clearly recognizable despite further evolutionary development. To give you an idea of ​​the human brain, we will go into more detail below about the five brain regions mentioned and describe further classification options within the brain anatomy.

The endbrain and diencephalon form the forebrain (prosencephalon)

The forebrain consists of the endbrain and the diencephalon. The large cortex of the endbrain (cerebral cortex, cortex cerebri) is particularly characteristic of the human brain anatomy. Its characteristic whorls (gyri) and furrows (sulci) result in a significantly enlarged surface, which means that the volume can remain relatively small.

The endbrain consists of two hemispheres separated by the fissura longitudinalis cerebri. Deeper inside, however, they are connected to one another by the so-called bar (corpus callosum). A frontal section of the brain reveals the gray and white matter of the hemispheres.

The image " Brain structure in section " shows the anatomy of the brain in such a section. The outer gray matter consists mainly of the cell bodies of the nerve cells and the inner white matter consists of the nerve fibers.

The 4 lobes of the brain

Both hemispheres can be divided into four lobes based on specific furrows:

1. Frontal Lobe (Lobus frontalis)
2. parietal lobe (lobus parietalis)
3. Occipital lobe (lobus occipitalis)
4. Temporal lobe (Lobus temporalis)

As the name suggests, the forehead flap is in the front of the forehead. The parietal lobe borders the frontal lobe from behind and extends to the occipital lobe at the back of the head. The temporal lobe is located laterally below the parietal lobe. The location of the brain lobes corresponds to the similarly named cranial bones, as shown in the image "Cranial Bone Anatomy ".

Functional areas of the cortex

The human cortex cerebri is particularly highly developed. It's for properties

responsible that make people what they are. Specific functions can be assigned to certain areas of the cortex. For example, there are areas in the temporal lobe that process information from the sense of hearing. In the occipital lobe is the primary visual cortex, which does some of the visual information processing.

The parietal lobe has areas of body perception that mediate skin, organs, muscles, and joints. The motor language center and other motor areas are located in the frontal lobe. There are also areas that are involved in personality formation.

The structure of the midbrain (diencephalon)

Between the hemispheres of the endbrain lies the diencephalon with the following structures:

• thalamus
• Epithalamus with epiphysis
• Hypothalamus with neurohypophysis
• subthalamus

The thalamus serves as a control center through which almost all information flowing to the cortex runs. It is also known as the "Gateway to Consciousness". You can see the location of the thalamus in the image "Brain - Sagittal Section". This shows the brain anatomy in sagittal section, so

in side view. Sitting on top of the thalamus, the epithalamus houses the pineal gland (epiphysis). This forms melatonin, known as the sleep hormone, and is therefore involved in the sleep-wake cycle.

The hypothalamus lies below the thalamus and is connected to the pituitary gland (pituitary gland). The pituitary gland, which is jointly responsible for hormonal control, is divided into the rear lobe (neurohypophysis) and the front lobe (adenohypophysis). However, the adenohypophysis, which is made up of glandular cells, is not part of the brain. The hypothalamus controls, among other things, the autonomic nervous system, but is also involved in emotional life.

The limbic system consists of structures of the forebrain

The limbic system represents another functional division within the brain anatomy.

It includes brain structures responsible for controlling emotions. In addition, the limbic system assumes important functions in learning and is in contact with the hypothalamus. It encases the beam that connects the two hemispheres. The limbic system includes:

• Structures of the olfactory brain
• Almond core (amygdala)
• hippocampus
• cingulate gyrus
• Parahippocampal gyrus

Because of the close relationship between the olfactory bulb and the rest of the structures of the limbic system, smells, memories and emotions are often linked. The amygdala plays an essential role in the development of fear, while the hippocampus is important for learning processes and is involved in aggressive and motivational behavior.

The anatomy of the brainstem and cerebellum

The midbrain, the pons of the hindbrain, and the hindbrain make up the brainstem (truncus cerebri). There are the nuclei of the cranial nerves, fiber bundles of the hypothalamus and long pathways of nerve cells.

All three parts of the brainstem are connected to the cerebellum, which overlies the brainstem. The cerebellum consists of the worm (vermis cerebelli) and also two hemispheres (hemispheria cerebelli). Together with the bridge, it forms the hindbrain and is responsible for balance, muscle tension and coordination of muscle activity.

The brainstem finally merges with the hindbrain into the spinal cord, where the gray and white matter are rearranged. In terms of evolutionary history, the brainstem is the oldest part of the human brain anatomy.