BRAIN STRUCTURE AND
FUNCTION
Main Parts of the Brain
The brain is made of three main parts: the
forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain.
The forebrain consists of the cerebrum, thalamus, and
hypothalamus (part of the limbic system). The midbrain
consists of the tectum and
tegmentum. The hindbrain is
made of the cerebellum, pons
and medulla.
Functions
Forebrain plays a central role in the processing of
information related to complex cognitive activities,
sensory and associative functions, and voluntary
motor activities.
Midbrain is a portion of the central nervous system
associated with vision, hearing, motor control,
sleep/wake, alertness, and temperature regulation.
The hindbrain controls the body’s vital functions such
as respiration and heart rate.
Parts of the Brain
amygdala
hippocampus
pituitary
The Cerebellum
Helps coordinate
voluntary
movement and
balance
The Cerebral Cortex
Cerebral Cortex
the body’s
ultimate control
and information
processing
center
The lobes of the cerebral hemispheres
Planning, decision Sensory
making speech
Vision
Auditory
Hemispheric Specialization
LEFT RIGHT
Symbolic thinking Spatial perception
(Language) Overall picture
Detail
Context,
Literal meaning
metaphor
Left Brain Dominant
You probably work with a daily task list
You like to be the critic in class
You feel you're naturally good at math or science
You are rational and logical
Your research is precise and well-documented
You set goals for yourself
You can interpret information well
Your room is tidy
You can answer questions spontaneously
You follow directions and you do read directions (unlike
some people)
You aren't touchy-feely
Right Brain Dominant
Be shown rather than told how to do a task.
Solve problems by looking at similarities and
patterns.
Draw rather than write.
Physically handle objects.
Answer open-ended questions rather than
multiple choice tests.
Discuss topics.
Assimilate whole chunks of information rather
than break them down into discrete facts.
Contra-lateral division of
labor
Right hemisphere
controls left side of body
and visual field
Left hemisphere controls
right side of body and
visual field