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