• Engineering and Architecture
  • Management and Business Administration
  • Medicine and Allied Sciences
  • Law
  • Animation and Design
  • Media, Mass Communication and Journalism
  • Finance & Accounts
  • Computer Application and IT
  • Pharmacy
  • Hospitality and Tourism
  • Competition
  • School
  • Study Abroad
  • Arts, Commerce & Sciences
  • Learn
  • Online Courses and Certifications
Human Brain: Structure, Diagram, function, diagram, Facts, Functions, Anatomy

Human Brain: Structure, Diagram, function, diagram, Facts, Functions, Anatomy

Irshad AnwarUpdated on 02 Jul 2025, 06:47 PM IST

The human brain is the most complex central nervous system component that performs the control functions of thoughts, emotions, and actions. It closely relates to the spinal cord but differs in both structure and function. While the brain acts as the major processing site of sensory input, voluntary behaviour, and decision, the spinal cord acts mainly as a passageway. This difference in the functioning of the brain and the spinal cord shows the complementary ways that these two could work as central organs to establish appropriate communication and coordination leading to life processes, survival, and adaptation toward environmental changes. This is a very important topic in the Chapter Neural Control and Coordination in Biology.

This Story also Contains

  1. What is the Human Brain?
  2. Location of the Brain
  3. Parts of the Human Brain
  4. Neurons and Synapses
  5. Blood Supply
  6. Functions of the Brain
Human Brain: Structure, Diagram, function, diagram, Facts, Functions, Anatomy
Human Brain

What is the Human Brain?

The human brain is the most exceptional organ in human beings. It governs each part of our body and minds, centring our thoughts, emotions, memory, and behaviours. The structure and functions of the brain are so compelling that when understood, we would get overwhelmed by the complexity and huge role it plays in our day-to-day living. Weighing about 1.0 to 1.5 kg, an adult human brain contains approximately 86 billion neurons. The brain, together with the spinal cord, forms part of the central nervous system that controls all activities in the human body, from mere thoughts and body movements to the interpretation of senses.

Also Read:

Location of the Brain

The brain sits in the skull, composed of 22 bones. It is cushioned by CSF, which also provides some immunological protection and suspends the brain to reduce its effective weight.

Parts of the Human Brain

The different parts of the human brain are:

Forebrain

The parts of the forebrain are:

  • Cerebrum: The largest part responsible for thinking, intelligence, consciousness, memory, and sensory interpretation.

  • Hypothalamus: Body temperature, emotions, hunger, sleep, synthesises some essential hormones

  • Thalamus: Relaying sensory and motor information

NEET Highest Scoring Chapters & Topics
Know Most Scoring Concepts in NEET 2024 Based on Previous Year Analysis.
Know More

Midbrain

The parts of the midbrain are:

  • Tectum: Conducts sensory information from the ears and controls reflex movements

  • Tegmentum: Seems to be concerned with body movements, the process of sleep, arousal and attention

Hindbrain

The parts of the hindbrain are:

  • Cerebellum: Coordinates balance of the body and voluntary movements

  • Medulla Oblongata: Coordinates autonomic functions such as heartbeat and breathing

  • Pons: Acts as a bridge in conduction signals between different parts of the brain and controls sleep cycles and respiratory activities.

Diagram of Brain

Diagram of Brain

Structure of the Brain

  • The human brain can be anatomically divided into three main parts: the forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain.

  • Each part includes specific structures and functions essential in various physiological and psychological processes.

Structure of the Brain

Neurons and Synapses

  • Neurons are the simplest functional units of the brain, transmitting information through electrical and chemical signals.

  • Synapses are interconnections between neurons, facilitating communication within the brain.

Blood Supply

  • The carotid and vertebral arteries supply blood to the brain.

  • The skull, meninges, and cerebrospinal fluid offer protection to the brain.

Commonly Asked Questions

Q: What is the blood-brain barrier, and why is it significant?
A:
The blood-brain barrier is a selective semipermeable border of endothelial cells that prevents many substances from entering the brain from the bloodstream. It's crucial for protecting the brain from harmful substances and maintaining a stable environment for proper neural function. However, it can also prevent beneficial drugs from reaching the brain, posing challenges in treating brain disorders.
Q: How does the brain change with aging?
A:
As the brain ages, it undergoes various changes. These include a gradual decrease in brain volume, particularly in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, reduced blood flow, and changes in neurotransmitter systems. Synaptic connections may decrease, and white matter integrity can decline. However, the aging brain also shows plasticity, with some older adults developing new neural pathways to compensate for age-related changes.
Q: What is the role of glymphatic system in brain health?
A:
The glymphatic system is a waste clearance system in the brain that removes metabolic waste products and toxins. It's most active during sleep, when brain cells shrink slightly, allowing for increased flow of cerebrospinal fluid. This system is crucial for maintaining brain health, potentially playing a role in preventing neurodegenerative diseases by clearing harmful proteins like beta-amyloid, which is associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Q: What is neuroinflammation, and how does it affect brain function?
A:
Neuroinflammation is an immune response in the nervous system, often triggered by injury, infection, or neurodegenerative processes. While acute neuroinflammation can be protective, chronic neuroinflammation can damage neurons and disrupt normal brain function. It's associated with various neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Neuroinflammation can affect neurotransmitter systems, synaptic plasticity, and overall cognitive function.

Functions of the Brain

The functions of the brain have been discussed below:

Cognitive Functions

  • The brain controls sensory processing, motor functions, cognition, emotions, and autonomic activities.

  • Different regions of the brain have specified functions.

Neuroplasticity

  • The brain can reorganise itself by forming new neural connections.

  • Neuroplasticity enables learning, memory, and recovery from brain injuries.

Important Points to Remember

  • The human brain weighs approximately 1.4 kilograms and contains approximately 86 billion neurons.

  • It takes up about 20 per cent of the energy of the whole body while it makes up only 2 per cent of the human body weight.

  • The left hemisphere of the brain controls the right side of the human body, and vice versa.

Also Read:


Recommended video on the Human Brain


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How does the brain process social information?
A:
Social information processing involves multiple brain regions, collectively known as the "social brain." This includes the medial prefrontal cortex (involved in understanding others' mental states), the temporoparietal junction (crucial for perspective-taking), the superior temporal sulcus (important for perceiving biological motion and facial expressions), and the amygdala (involved in emotional processing and social judgments). These regions work together to enable complex social cognition, including empathy, theory of mind, and social decision-making.
Q: What is the role of the basal ganglia in motor control and learning?
A:
The basal ganglia are a group of subcortical nuclei involved in motor control, learning, and executive functions. They play a crucial role in initiating and smoothing movements, as well as in motor learning and habit formation. The basal ganglia work in conjunction with the cortex and thalamus to select and inhibit motor programs. Dysfunction in the basal ganglia is associated with movement disorders like Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease.
Q: How does the brain process reward and motivation?
A:
The brain's reward system, centered around the mesolimbic dopamine pathway, plays a key role in processing reward and motivation. When we experience something rewarding, dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) are activated, releasing dopamine in the nucleus accumbens and other regions. This system reinforces behaviors, drives motivation, and is involved in learning and decision-making. Dysfunction in this system is implicated in addiction and mood disorders.
Q: How does the brain process time and duration?
A:
Time perception involves multiple brain regions and is not localized to a single "clock" in the brain. The basal ganglia and cerebellum are involved in processing short time intervals, while the prefrontal and parietal cortices play roles in perceiving longer durations. Dopamine levels can influence time perception, and factors like attention and arousal can affect how we experience the passage of time.
Q: What is the role of the insula in brain function?
A:
The insula, or insular cortex, is involved in a wide range of functions, including interoception (awareness of internal bodily states), emotion processing, empathy, and decision-making. It plays a crucial role in integrating sensory, emotional, and cognitive information, contributing to self-awareness and social cognition. The insula is also involved in pain perception and is implicated in various neuropsychiatric disorders.
Q: How does the brain process and integrate sensory information?
A:
Sensory processing involves multiple steps and brain regions. Primary sensory areas receive input from sensory organs, processing basic features of stimuli. This information is then integrated in association areas, which combine inputs from different senses and previous experiences. The parietal lobe plays a key role in sensory integration, while the prefrontal cortex is involved in interpreting and responding to sensory information in the context of goals and expectations.
Q: What is the role of the thalamus in brain function?
A:
The thalamus acts as a relay station for sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex. It plays a crucial role in regulating consciousness, sleep, and alertness. The thalamus filters and processes incoming sensory information before sending it to appropriate cortical areas. It's also involved in motor control, emotional processing, and memory functions. The thalamus's extensive connections make it a key hub in various brain networks.
Articles
Previous
Next