Frontal Lobe

By:  Melissa Bui What is the area of the brain? The Frontal Lobe is located directly behind the forehead as the frontal lobe is one of the largest lobes in the human brain. Hence, they are the most common region of injury in traumatic brain injury. What are the functions? The frontal lobe function is […]

Brain Stem

By:  Catherine Joachin What is the brainstem?  The brainstem is the structure that connects the brain to the spinal cord. It houses important cranial nerve nuclei, monitors automatic bodily functions, promotes survival, and ensures cognitive functioning. Functions of the brainstem  The brainstem is home to the cardiovascular, vasomotor, and respiratory control centers, which regulate heart […]

Pituitary Gland

By:  Catherine Joachin What is the pituitary gland?  The pituitary gland is a pea-sized endocrine organ located below the hypothalamus that releases several key hormones into the bloodstream (Cleveland Clinic, n.d.). Sometimes referred to as the “master gland,” it manages stress, growth, and reproduction by transmitting signals from the hypothalamus to other glands (Johns Hopkins […]

Hypothalamus

By:  Catherine Joachin What is the hypothalamus? The hypothalamus is the brain structure that connects the central nervous system to the endocrine system. It acts as the body’s central coordinating center, regulating metabolic functions by  stimulating autonomic nervous system activity and hormone release (Cleveland Clinic, n.d.) Functions of the hypothalamus The hypothalamus primarily works to […]

Corpus Callosum and Midbrain

By:  Melissa Bui What are the Corpus Callosum and Midbrain? The Corpus Callosum is located in the center of the brain at the base which is in the midline of the brain which connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres, allowing neural messages to pass from one side to another. Similarly, the Midbrain is located […]

Basal Ganglia

By:  Catherine Joachin What is the basal ganglia? The basal ganglia are a group of structures lodged between the cerebral cortex and the brainstem that control voluntary movement. It is comprised of the caudate nucleus, globus pallidus, nucleus accumbent, putamen, substantia nigra, and subthalamic nucleus (Cleveland Clinic, n.d.).  Functions of the basal ganglia The basal […]

Amygdala

By:  Clara O’Hara What is the amygdala? The amygdala is a small part of the limbic system of the brain, specifically on the lower part of the brain below the hypothalamus, responsible for body function, and in front of the hippocampus, responsible for memory.  What does the amygdala do?  The amygdala, within the limbic system, […]

Occipital Lobe and Epilepsy

By:  Catherine Joachin What is the occipital lobe? The occipital lobe is the hindmost region of the human brain. It hosts the visual cortex, which analyzes the visual information detected by the eyes and breaks down the components of visual stimulus in order for the brain to discern the different characteristics of the environment (Cleveland Clinic, 2022). […]