Brain - Part 2

일단 뇌의 전체적인 구조를 먼저 알아보자. 어렵지 않은 개념이다. 솔직히 이 정도는 중학교에서 배우는 정도니까...

Cerebrum / Diencephalon / Midbrain / Pons / Medulla / Cerebellum

Cerebrum

Cerebrum is the part of the brain that is in charge of high-level functions such as critical thinking, voluntary motion etc. There are mainly four lobes in the cerebrum: frontal lobe, temporal lobe, occipital lobe, parietal lobe. In the frontal lobe, there are some parts related to thinking and motivation. Also there is the primary motor cortex right in front of the central sulcus. Behind the central sulcus, there is the primary somatosensory cortex, which is the part of parietal lobe. Most of the sensory input comes to this lobe. In the occipital lobe, there is the primary auditory cortex and also a part related to the recognition of "face". In the occipital lobe, there is the primary visual cortex.

Diencephalon

Diencephalon is consisted with thalamus, hypothalamus and epithalamus. Thalamus is the control center of the sensory inputs. All sensory inputs excluding the olfactory input pass through the thalamus. Hypothalamus is the area below the thalamus. (You can notice the "hypo") It regulates the homeostasis with the pituitary gland. Epithalamus is the place that produce the melatonin and other molecules that regulate the circadian rhythm.

Midbrain

Midbrain is the structure with vary nuclei. One main function of it is the reflex. For example the olivary nucleus of the midbrain is responsible for the pupillary light reflex. It also control body temperature and blood glucose level.

Pons

Pons is important for breathing. It also control eye movement and facial muscles. Plus, it coordinate the information between cerebrum and cerebellum. Remind that both pons and cerebellum is from the same ventricle.

Medulla

Medulla, or medulla oblongata is the structure for controlling breathing, heart beat, blood pressure and digestion. If the pons is damaged, people are not able to breath normally while if the medulla is damaged they can't breath at all.

Cerebellum

Cerebellum coordinate the motion of our body. With out thinking, you can walk, and this is the roll of the cerebellum.

놀라운 사실 하나. 더 위로 갈수록 더 고등한 역할을 수행한다. 이러한 부분은 neocortex라고 하여 더 최근에 만들어진 부분임을 확인할 수 있다.

사실 이 글을 쓰다가 흥미가 떨어져서 다음에 더 재미있는 주제를 가지고 오려고 한다.

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