Amazing Organs - The Brain

The brain is the star of the show, controlling not only what you feel and think, how you learn and remember, and the way you move and talk, but also many things you may be less aware of, such as the beating of your heart, the digestion of your food and even the amount of stress you feel. Your brain is even in charge when you’re asleep!

The human brain looks much like a large, wrinkled, gray sponge, weighing about three pounds. Incredibly compact considering everything it does! However, it has many folds and grooves which provide it with the additional surface area needed for storing all of the body’s important information.

There are three main sections of the brain: the forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain.

The forebrain is the largest and most complex part of the brain. It consists of the cerebrum which contains the information that makes us who we are. Specific areas of the cerebrum, called lobes, are in charge of processing different types of information: personality, intelligence, memory, emotion, speech, and the ability to move and feel. There are four lobes: the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital.

The cerebrum has right and left halves which are called hemispheres. The halves are connected in the middle by a band of nerve fibers referred to as the corpus collosum that enables the two sides to communicate. Scientists know that the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body and the right side controls the left side of the body. Scientists also believe that the sides have different functions. The left side is considered the objective, logical, analytical side, while the right side is thought to be more subjective, intuitive, and creative.

The outer layer of the cerebrum is called the cortex, also known as “gray matter”.

The five senses collect information which then comes into the brain from the spinal cord to the cortex. The information is, in turn, directed to other parts of the nervous system for further processing.

The inner part of the forebrain contains the thalamus, hypothalamus, and pituitary glands. The thalamus is responsible for carrying messages from the sensory organs like the eyes, nose, ears, and fingers to the cortex. The hypothalamus controls automatic processes like appetite, thirst, pulse, temperature and sleep patterns. It also controls the pituitary gland, which makes the hormones that control our growth and sexual maturity, as well as metabolism, digestion, and even our response to stress.

The midbrain is located underneath the middle of the forebrain. It coordinates all the messages, going in and out of the brain, to the spinal cord.

The hindbrain is located underneath the back end of the cerebrum and consists of the cerebellum, pons, and medulla. The cerebellum is also called the “little brain” since it looks like a small version (1/8 its size) of the cerebrum. The cerebellum is responsible for balance, movement, and coordination.

The pons and medulla, along with the midbrain, are often called the brainstem; taking in, sending out, and coordinating all of the brain’s messages. It also controls many automatic functions such as breathing, swallowing, blinking, heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion.

Where do your feelings come from? Your brain, of course. Scientists believe that the amygdala is responsible for your emotions. The amygdala is little bunches of cells on each side of your brain. The word amygdala is Latin for almond, which is very appropriate since that is what this area looks like.

The brain is a remarkable organ, without which, the body could not survive. There are plenty of ways you can be good to your brain:

• Eat healthy foods
• Give your brain plenty of exercise by doing challenging activities such as puzzles, reading, artistic endeavors, listening to music, or anything that gives your brain a workout.
• Don’t drink alcohol, use tobacco, or take drugs.
• Protect your head by wearing a helmet when you are in any type of sports, including riding a bike or motorcycle, skate boarding and rollerblading.