Anatomy and Physiology

of the Brain
The Brain
Contains nerve centers associated with the sensory functions and is responsible for sensations and
perceptions.
It issues motor commands to skeletal muscles and carries on higher mental functions, such as memory and
reasoning.
Contains centers that coordinate muscular movements, as well as centers and nerve pathways that
regulate visceral activities.
It also provides characteristics such as personality.

More about the Brain

The Brain has 3 major cavities or vesicles;
-Forebrain (prosencephalon
the forebrain later divides into 2 portions
-Midbrain (mesencephalon
-Hindbrain (rhombencephalon
partially divides into parts

anterior(telencephalon) & posterior(diencephalon)

anterior(metencephalon & posterior(myelencephalon

The anterior portion of the forebrain gives rise to the cerebrum and basal nuclei, whereas the posterior
portion forms a section in the brain called diencephalon, the midbrain produces continues to be called the
midbrain in the adult structure, and the hindbrain gives rise to the cerebellum, pons and medulla
oblongata comprise the brainstem, which attaches the brain to the spinal cord.

The structure of the Cerebrum

Is the largest part of the mature brain, it consists of two large masses, or cerebral hemisphere, which are
essentially mirror of each other.
A deep bridge of nerve fibers called the corpus callosum connects the cerebral hemispheres, a layer of
dura mater called falx cerebri separates them. (terms will be explained later)
Many ridges called convolutions or gyri, separated by the grooves, mark the cerebrums surface. A shallow
to somewhat deep groove is called a sulcus, and a very deep groove is called a fissure.
Ex. Longitudinal Fissure
Transverse Fissure

The Lobes of the cerebral hemisphere

Are named after the skull that they underlie.
1. Frontal lobe is the anterior portion of the each cerebral hemisphere, which is bordered posteriorly by a
central sulcus (fissure of rolando) and inferiorly by an lateral sulcus(fissure of sylvius)
2. Parietal lobe is posterior to the frontal lobe and is separated by a central sulcus.
3. Temporal lobe lies inferior to the frontal and parietal lobes and is separated by a lateral sulcus
4. Occipital lobe forms the posterior portion of each cerebral hemisphere and is separated from the
cerebellum by a shelf-like extension of dura mater called the tentorium cerebelli. The occipital, parietal and
temporal lobes have no distinct boundary.
5. Insula (island of Reil) is a lobe located deep within the lateral sulcus and is so named because it is
covered by parts of the frontal, parietal and temporal lobes. A circular sulcus separates it from them.

Grey and White matter

a thin layer of grey matter called the cerebral cortex constitutes the outermost portion of the cerebrum. It
covers the convolutions, dipping into the sulci and fissures.
Just beneath the cerebral cortex is a mass of white matter that makes up the bulk of the cerebrum.

Meninges
are membranes located between the bone and the soft tissues of the nervous system; it protects the brain
and the spinal cord. It has three layers dura mater, arachnoid mater and pia mater.
Dura mater extends inwards between lobes of the brain and forms supportive partitions. Dura matter has
partitions respectively named falx cerebelli(separates the left and right hemisphere), falx cerebri(extends

downward into the longitudinal fissure, and separates the right and left cerebral hemispheres) and the
tentorium cerebelli(separates the occipital lobes of the cerebrum from the cerebellum)
Arachnoid mater spreads over the brain and the spinal cord but does not dip into the grooves and the
depressions on the surface. Between the arachnoid mater and the pia mater is a subarachnoid space
which contains the cerebrospinal fluid.
Pia mater is attached to the surfaces of these organs and follows their irregular contours, passing over the
high areas and dipping into the depressions.

Ventricles
are interconnected cavities. These are located within the cerebral hemispheres and brainstem. These
spaces are continues with the central canal of the spinal cord and are filled with CFS (Cerebrospinal Fluid).
*Lateral Ventricles are the 2 largest ventricles (the first ventricle in the left cerebral hemisphere and the
second ventricle in the right cerebral hemisphere).
*Third Ventricle as narrow space that constitutes the third ventricle is located in the midline of the brain
beneath the corpus callosum.
*Fourth Ventricle is located in the brainstem just in front of the cerebellum. This ventricle is continuous
with the central canal of the spinal cord.
Tiny reddish cauliflower like masses of specialized capillaries from the pia mater, called choroid plexus
secrete CSF.

The Functions of the Cerebrum

It provides higher brain functions; interpreting impulses from sense organs, initiating voluntary muscular
movements, storing information as memory, and retrieving this information in reasoning. The cerebrum is
also the seat of intelligence and personality.
Functional Regions of the Cortex:
the regions of the cerebral cortex that perform specific functions have been located using a variety of
techniques. Ex. PET scanning (A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is an imaging test that allows
your doctor to check for diseases in your body. The scan uses a special dye that has radioactive tracers.
These tracers are injected into a vein in your arm. Your organs and tissues then absorb the tracer). In other
studies, areas of cortices have been exposed surgically and stimulated mechanically or electrically, with
researchers observing the responses in certain muscles or the specific sensations that result. As a result of
such investigations, researchers have divided the cerebral cortex into sensory, association and motor
areas that overlap somehow.

Regions of the Cortex

-Sensory Areas
sensory areas in several lobes of the cerebrum interpret impulses from the sensory receptors, producing
feelings or sensations. For example, the sensation of temperature, touch, pressure, and pain in the skin
arise in the post central gyri of the anterior portions of the parietal lobes along the central sulcus and in
the posterior wall of this sulcus. The posterior parts of the occipital lobes provide vision, whereas the
superior posterior portions of the temporal lobes contain the center for hearing. The sensory areas for
taste are near the bases of the central sulci along the lateral sulci, and the sense of smell arises from
centers deep within the cerebrum.
-Association Areas
association areas are neither primarily sensory nor motor. They interconnect with each other and other
brain structures. These areas occupy the anterior portion of the frontal lobes and are widespread in the
lateral portion of the parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes. The analyze and interpret sensory experiences
and help provide memory, reasoning, verbalizing, judgment, and emotions.
Motor Areas
- The primary motor areas of the cerebral cortex lie in the precentral gyri of the frontal lobes just in front of
the central sulcus and in the anterior wall of this sulcus.
In addition to the primary motor areas, certain other regions of the frontal lobes control motor functions.
For example, a region called Brocas Area is just anterior to the primary motor cortex and superior to the
lateral sulcus, usually in the left cerebral hemisphere. It coordinates the complex muscular actions of the
mouth, tongue, and larynx, which makes speech possible.
Above the brocas area is a region called the frontal eye field. The motor cortex in this area controls
voluntary movements of the eyes and eyelids. Nearby is a cortex that is responsible for movements of the

head that directs the eyes. Another region just in front of the primary motor area controls the muscular
movements of the hands and the fingers that make such skills as writing possible.

Functions of the Cerebral Lobes

-Frontal lobe
- Association areas carry on higher intellectual processes for concentrating, planning, complex problem
solving, and judging the consequences of behavior.
Motor areas control movements of voluntary skeletal muscles.
-Parietal lobe
- Sensory areas provide sensations of temperature, touch, pressure, and pain involving the skin.
Association areas function in understanding speech and in using words to express thoughts and feelings.
-Temporal lobe
- Sensory areas are responsible for hearing.
Association areas interpret sensory experiences and remember visual scenes, music, and other complex
sensory patterns.
-Occipital lobe
- Sensory areas responsible for vision.
Association areas combine visual images with other sensory experiences.

The Cerebrum
-Hemisphere Dominance
both hemisphere participate in basic functions. However, one side usually acts as a dominant
hemisphere for certain functions.
In most persons, the left hemisphere is dominant for the language-related activities of speech,
writing, and reading. It is also dominant for complex intellectual functions requiring verbal,
analytical, and computational skills. In other persons, the right hemisphere is dominant and in
some, the hemispheres are equally dominant.
In addition to carrying basic functions, the non-dominant hemisphere specializes in non-verbal
functions, such as motor tasks that require orientation of the body in space, understanding and
interpreting musical patterns, and visual experiences. It also provides emotional and intuitive
thought process.
-Memory
is the persistence of that learning, with the ability to access it at a later time.
There are 2 types, short, and long term memory.
Closely related to "working" memory, short-term memory is the very short time that you keep
something in mind before either dismissing it or transferring it to long-term memory.
Long-term memory is our brain's system for storing, managing, and retrieving information.