Brain Basics
This largest part of the brain controls thinking, memory, and voluntary movement.
What is the cerebrum?
This lobe at the back of the brain is primarily responsible for visual processing.
What is the occipital lobe?
This almond-shaped structure helps process fear, anger, and emotional memories.
What is the amygdala?
Known as the “little brain,” this structure coordinates balance, posture, and fine motor control.
What is the cerebellum?
This strip of the frontal lobe sends signals that initiate voluntary movement.
What is the motor cortex?
This outer layer of the cerebrum is responsible for higher-level thought and awareness.
What is the cerebral cortex?
This lobe processes touch, pressure, and spatial awareness.
What is the parietal lobe?
This curved structure in the medial temporal lobe is essential for forming new long-term memories.
What is the hippocampus?
This small gland at the base of the brain secretes hormones that control growth and other endocrine glands.
What is the pituitary gland?
These branch-like structures receive chemical signals from other neurons.
What are dendrites?
This thick band of nerve fibers connects the brain’s left and right hemispheres.
What is the corpus callosum?
This lobe is involved in hearing, language comprehension, and memory.
What is the temporal lobe?
This region (usually left temporal lobe) is critical for understanding spoken and written language.
What is Wernicke’s area?
This lower brainstem structure controls breathing, heart rate, and other vital autonomic functions.
What is the medulla (oblongata)?
This long projection conducts electrical impulses away from the neuron’s cell body.
What is the axon?
This structure routes incoming sensory information (except smell) to the appropriate cortical areas.
What is the thalamus?
This lobe is key for planning, decision-making, and controlling voluntary movement.
What is the frontal lobe?
This region (usually left frontal lobe) is necessary for speech production and language expression.
What is Broca’s area?
This hypothalamic region regulates hunger, thirst, body temperature, and links the nervous and endocrine systems.
What is the hypothalamus?
This fatty insulating sheath speeds up neural transmission along the axon.
What is the myelin sheath?
This brainstem network helps regulate wakefulness, arousal, and filters sensory input.
What is the reticular formation?
This strip of cortex processes touch, temperature, and body-position sensations.
What is the somatosensory cortex?
This group of subcortical nuclei helps regulate voluntary movement and is involved in reward and habit formation.
What is the basal ganglia?
This part of the brainstem helps regulate breathing rhythm and relays signals between cerebrum and cerebellum.
What is the pons?
These gaps in the myelin allow action potentials to jump during saltatory conduction.
What are the nodes of Ranvier?