#The brain stem consists of the free#

The canalis centralis runs through the oblongata, which opens cranially into the IV. The pathways connect here and continue further into the higher levels of the brain. They contain the nuclei of the same name, which are the final station of the spinal fasciculus gracilis and cuneatus, which lead the main sensitive pathways of the brain.

The dorsal surface of the elongated spinal cord is also arched into two bumps - tuberculum gracile and tuberculum cuneatum. These openings form a communication between the ventricular system and the subarachnoid space of the brain and allow the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid. They are apertura median ventriculi quarti (foramen Magendi) and paired aperturae laterales ventriculi quartii (foramina Luschkae).

it is not whole, it contains several holes.

#The brain stem consists of the free#

The free end of the vela is joined by the tela choroidea ventriculi quartii, a fibrous plate containing the choroid plexus, which forms the cerebrospinal fluid, here to IV. The peduncles diverge into a V-shape, and between them is spread the velum medullare inferius, which is a thin plate, an outgrowth of the ependyma. The pedunculi cerebellares are generally thick bundles of white matter through which the pathways connect the stem (in this case the medulla oblongata) to the cerebellum. Dorsal to the olive lie the pedunculi cerebellares inferiores. Laterally, there are paired elevations, called olives, on the elongated spinal cord. It is important for breathing, blood pressure and how the body reacts to danger.Human brain in sagittal section, with brain stem highlighted The hypothalamus controls appetite, thirst and body temperature, and produces hormones that control the release of other hormones in the pituitary gland.Īt the base of the brain is the brainstem. The thalamus moves information to and from the lobes, and controls movements and memory.

The occipital lobes are vital for being able to see clearly.ĭeep inside the brain are the thalamus and the hypothalamus.

The parietal lobes play an important part in taste, touch, temperature and pain, and also in the understanding of numbers, awareness of the body and feeling of space.

The temporal lobes play an important part in memory, hearing, speech and language.

The frontal lobes control movement, speech and some of the functions of the mind like behaviour, mood, memory and organisation.

It is divided into left and right hemispheres, linked by a band of nerve fibres in the centre of the brain called the corpus callosum.Įach hemisphere is divided into 4 lobes, or sections, which are all connected. It controls intelligence, memory, personality, emotion, speech, and ability to feel and move. The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain. These include the cerebrum, the cerebellum, the thalamus, the hypothalamus and the brainstem. The brain and spinal cord are protected from damage by a clear liquid called cerebrospinal fluid, 3 layers of membranes called the meninges, and the hard bones of the skull and backbone. They are coated in myelin, which is a fatty insulation. White matter is made up of axons, which are long cords that extend from the neurons. Grey matter is made up of neurons, cells and blood vessels. The tissue of the central nervous system is made up of grey matter and white matter. The neurons are arranged in networks that carry electrical or chemical messages to and from the brain. The nervous system is made up of basic units called neurons.

What are the parts of the central nervous system? Nerves also connect the spinal cord to a part of the brain called the brainstem. It carries messages to and from the brain via the network of peripheral nerves connected to it. The spinal cord is an extension of the brain. The brain controls most of the functions of the body, including awareness, movement, thinking, speech, and the 5 senses of seeing, hearing, feeling, tasting and smelling. The central nervous system is the body’s processing centre. The other part is the peripheral nervous system, which consists of nerves that connect the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. It is one of 2 parts of the nervous system. The central nervous system (CNS) is made up of the brain and spinal cord. Related information on Australian websites.What are the parts of the central nervous system?.