Search results
The brain is an organ that serves as the center of the nervous system in all vertebrate and most invertebrate animals. It consists of nervous tissue and is typically located in the head (cephalization), usually near organs for special senses such as vision, hearing and olfaction.
- What Is The Brain?
- What Is The Brain Made of?
- How Does The Brain Work?
- Lobes of The Brain and What They Control
- Deeper Structures Within The Brain
- Blood Supply to The Brain
- Cranial Nerves
- GeneratedCaptionsTabForHeroSec
The brain is a complex organ that controls thought, memory, emotion, touch, motor skills, vision, breathing, temperature, hunger and every process that regulates our body. Together, the brain and spinal cord that extends from it make up the central nervous system, or CNS.
Weighing about 3 pounds in the average adult, the brain is about 60% fat. The remaining 40% is a combination of water, protein, carbohydrates and salts. The brain itself is a not a muscle. It contains blood vessels and nerves, including neurons and glial cells.
The brain sends and receives chemical and electrical signals throughout the body. Different signals control different processes, and your brain interprets each. Some make you feel tired, for example, while others make you feel pain. Some messages are kept within the brain, while others are relayed through the spine and across the body’s vast networ...
Each brain hemisphere (parts of the cerebrum) has four sections, called lobes: frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital. Each lobe controls specific functions. 1. Frontal lobe.The largest lobe of the brain, located in the front of the head, the frontal lobe is involved in personality characteristics, decision-making and movement. Recognition of sm...
Pituitary Gland
Sometimes called the “master gland,” the pituitary gland is a pea-sized structure found deep in the brain behind the bridge of the nose. The pituitary gland governs the function of other glands in the body, regulating the flow of hormones from the thyroid, adrenals, ovaries and testicles. It receives chemical signals from the hypothalamus through its stalk and blood supply.
Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus is located above the pituitary gland and sends it chemical messages that control its function. It regulates body temperature, synchronizes sleep patterns, controls hunger and thirst and also plays a role in some aspects of memory and emotion.
Amygdala
Small, almond-shaped structures, an amygdala is located under each half (hemisphere) of the brain. Included in the limbic system, the amygdalae regulate emotion and memory and are associated with the brain’s reward system, stress, and the “fight or flight” response when someone perceives a threat.
Two sets of blood vessels supply blood and oxygen to the brain: the vertebral arteries and the carotid arteries. The external carotid arteries extend up the sides of your neck, and are where you can feel your pulse when you touch the area with your fingertips. The internal carotid arteries branch into the skull and circulate blood to the front part...
Inside the cranium (the dome of the skull), there are 12 nerves, called cranial nerves: 1. Cranial nerve 1: The first is the olfactory nerve, which allows for your sense of smell. 2. Cranial nerve 2: The optic nervegoverns eyesight. 3. Cranial nerve 3: The oculomotor nervecontrols pupil response and other motions of the eye, and branches out from t...
Learn about the structure and functions of the brain, the central nervous system and the meninges. Explore the main parts of the brain, such as the cerebrum, brainstem and cerebellum, and their roles in thought, emotion, movement and more.
The brain is the central organ of the human nervous system, and with the spinal cord makes up the central nervous system. The brain consists of the cerebrum, the brainstem and the cerebellum.
Jul 5, 2021 · The brain is the command center that controls the nervous system and regulates vital functions. Learn about the different parts of the brain, their roles, and how to maintain a healthy brain.
2 days ago · Learn about the brain, the mass of nerve tissue in the anterior end of an organism that integrates sensory information and directs motor responses. Explore the anatomy, structure, and functions of the brain in different vertebrates, and the disorders and diseases that affect it.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
People also ask
What are the main functions of the brain?
What is the difference between the brain and the spinal cord?
How does the brain control the body?
How does the brain control behavior?
Mar 30, 2022 · Learn about your brain, an essential organ that controls many body functions and processes information. Find out how your brain is structured, what lobes and hemispheres do, and what conditions can affect your brain health.
Sep 26, 2023 · Learn about the structure, function, and associated conditions of the brain, the organ that controls your thoughts, feelings, and movements. Find out how the brain is composed of nerve cells, blood vessels, CSF, and different regions such as the cerebral cortex, limbic system, brainstem, and cerebellum.
