 As the
most complex organ, the brain remains
one of the challenging frontiers
of medical research and treatment.
Mastering current understanding of
the brain is just one reason that
becoming a neurosurgeon requires
15 years of education and training
after high school.
Today’s
knowledge and tools are quickly increasing
the chances of survival and recovery
from brain injury. Here’s a
look at this fascinating organ.
Brain
The
hub of the nervous system, the
brain has 100 billion nerve cells,
known as neurons. It is the primary
center for regulation and control
of bodily activities, receiving
and interpreting sensory impulses,
and transmitting information to
the muscles and body organs. It
is also the seat of consciousness,
thought, memory, and emotion.
The
brain is enclosed within the cranium,
and composed of gray matter and
white matter. The outer cortex
is highly wrinkled, which essentially
makes the brain more efficient
since it increases the surface
area of the brain and the number
of neurons within it.
There
are three main parts: the cerebrum
(left and right hemispheres), the
cerebellum and the brainstem.
Cerebrum
The
cerebrum comprises nearly 90 percent
of the brain tissue and is associated
with higher function such as thought
and action. There are two hemispheres
or halves (right and left sides),
which are further divided into
four sections or lobes. Each lobe
of the cortex controls the following:
- Frontal lobe
- movement, speech, intelligence
and behavior
- Parietal lobe
- sensation, artistic and scientific
ability
- Temporal lobe
- hearing, language, taste and
smell and memory
- Occipital lobe
- vision
Cerebellum
Located
at the back of the brain, the cerebellum
controls movement, balance and
muscle coordination.
Brain stem
The
lower extension of the brain where
it connects the cerebrum and cerebullum
to the spinal cord.
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