Brain

The brain is one of the largest and most important organs of the human body. Weighing in at about three pounds, this organ has a wide range of responsibilities.

Do you know where your insula is? Find information about brain divisions, brain structures and the functions of the brain.

The cerebrum is the largest portion of the brain. It encompasses about two-thirds of the brain mass and lies over and around most of the structures of the brain.

The cerebral cortex is the outer covering of the cerebrum. It is the layer of the brain often referred to as gray matter.

The cerebellum is the area of the hindbrain that controls motor movement coordination, balance, equilibrium and muscle tone.

The pons serves as a communications and coordination center between the two hemispheres of the brain.

The brainstem is the region of the brain that connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord. It consists of the midbrain, medulla oblongata, and the pons.

The medulla oblongata is a portion of the hindbrain that controls autonomic functions such as breathing, digestion and heart rate.

The corpus callosum is a thick band of nerve fibers that divides the cerebrum into left and right hemispheres.

The thalamus is a large, dual lobed mass of grey matter buried under the cerebral cortex. It is involved in sensory perception and regulation of motor functions.

About the size of a pearl, the hypothalamus directs a multitude of important functions in the body. It is the control center for many autonomic functions and also regulates endocrine system hormones.

Information and resources pertaining to Wernicke's area of the brain.

The diencephalon, along with the telencephalon comprise the two major divisions of forebrain.

Information and resources pertaining to the mesencephalon or midbrain.

The limbic system is responsible for controlling various functions in the body. Structures of this system include the hippocampus, hypothalamus, and thalamus.

The frontal lobes are one of the four main lobes or regions of the cerebral cortex.

The occipital lobes are positioned at the back region of the cerebral cortex and are the main centers for visual processing.

The temporal lobes are one of the four main lobes or regions of the cerebral cortex. The temporal lobes play an important role in organizing sensory input, auditory perception and memory.

Broca's area is one of the main areas of the cerebral cortex responsible for producing language.

The hippocampus is the part of the brain that is involved in memory forming, organizing, and storing. It is a limbic system structure that is particularly important in forming new memories and connecting emotions and senses, such as smell and sound, to memories.

The pituitary gland is a small endocrine system organ that controls a multitude of important functions in the body.

The pineal gland is a pine cone shaped gland of the endocrine system that produces several important hormones including melatonin.

The third ventricle is part of a network of linked cavities in the brain that extend to form the central canal of the spinal cord.

For almost one hundred years scientists believed that brain cells don't regenerate, until now.