Cerebrum: Definition, Diagram, Function, Description, Anatomy

What Is the Cerebrum?

The cerebrum accounts for the largest portion of the volume of the human brain, about two-thirds. It coordinates various kinds of higher brain activities like sensory perception, thought, reasoning, and memory. The cerebrum is divided into two hemispheres, with each controlling the opposite side of the body.

Cerebrum Anatomy

The anatomy of cerebrum is divided into:

Hemispheres and Lobes

• The cerebrum is divided again into left and right hemispheres, which specialise in different functions.

Lobes of the Cerebrum

There are four lobes of cerebrum are:

• Frontal lobe which is involved in planning and motor control

• Parietal lobe which is somatosensory

• Temporal lobe helps in hearing, language, memory

• Occipital lobe which has a role in vision.

Cerebral Cortex

• The outer layer of the cerebrum that deals with higher brain functions such as perception, thought, and decision-making is the cerebral cortex.

• The outer grey matter makes up the cerebral cortex. It is highly furrowed to increase the surface area.

Functional Areas of Each Lobe

Functional areas of each lobe is discussed below:

Frontal Lobe

• The frontal lobe manages higher mental functions, including decision-making, problem-solving, and planning.

• It directly governs voluntary motor movements and expressive language.

Parietal Lobe

• The parietal lobe processes somatosensory input related to touch, temperature, and pain.

• It also contributes to spatial orientation and body awareness.

Temporal Lobe

• It deals with the processing of hearing, understanding language, and formation of memory.

• The hippocampus, essential for forming long-term memory, is present in it.

Occipital Lobe

• The occipital lobe is mainly dealing with the processing of vision.

• It interprets information that it receives from the eyes to build our visual perception.

Functions of the Cerebrum

The functions performed by the various parts of the cerebrum are:

• Our emotions, eyesight, personality, and intelligence are all governed by the cerebrum.

• Axons from the motor cortex's upper motor neurones travel to the brainstem and spinal cord, where they make synapses with lower motor neurones that innervate the muscles.

• All auditory, visual, somatosensory, and gustatory information is received by the cerebral cortex, which then works with the cortices to process it so that we can experience these sensations.

• Beneath the frontal lobe is a little organ called the olfactory bulb. Instead of going via the thalamus, it processes the olfactory data and transmits it straight to the olfactory cortex. Loss of smell may result from damage to the olfactory bulb.

Cerebrum NEET MCQs (With Answers & Explanations)

Important questions asked in NEET from this topic are:

• Anatomy of Cerebrum

• Functions of Cerebrum

Practice Questions for NEET

Q1. Which part of the brain is responsible for thermoregulation?

1. Cerebrum

2. Hypothalamus

3. Corpus callosum

4. Medulla oblongata

Correct answer: 2) Hypothalamus

Explanation:

The hypothalamus contains several centres which control body temperature, and urge for eating and drinking. It also contains several groups of neurosecretory cells, which secrete hormones called hypothalamic hormones. The hypothalamus is the part of the brain involved in thermoregulation. The cerebrum is involved in interpreting touch, vision, hearing, speech, reasoning movement, etc. The Corpus callosum joins two hemispheres of the cerebrum. Medulla oblongata helps regulate breathing, heart function, digestion, etc.

Hence the correct answer is option 4)Hypothalamus.

Q2. Injury localized to the hypothalamus would most likely disrupt:

1. Short-term memory.

2. Coordination during locomotion.

3. Executive function, such as decision-making.

4. Regulation of body temperature.

Correct answer: 4) Regulation of body temperature

Explanation:

A very important part of the brain called the hypothalamus lies at the base of the thalamus. The hypothalamus contains several centres which control body temperature, and urge for eating and drinking. It also contains several groups of neurosecretory cells, which secrete hormones called hypothalamic hormones.

Hence, the correct answer is option 4)Regulation of body temperature.

Q3. The grey matter of cerebellum exhibits tree-like structure called

1. Arbor vitae

2. Purkinje cells

3. Basket cells

4. Granule cells

Correct answer: 1) Arbor vitae

Explanation:

Three layers of cells and fibres make up the grey matter that surrounds the cerebellum. Arbor vitae are tree-like structures found in the cerebellar grey matter. Characteristically big flask-shaped Purkinje cells are found in the intermediate layer. Granule cells, basket cells, and Golgi cells are also found in the cerebellum. Therefore, the grey matter of the cerebellum exhibits a tree-like structure called arbour vitae.

Hence, the correct answer is option 1) Arbor vitae.

Also Read:

• MCQs on Cerebrum

• Synapse

• Autonomic Nervous System

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