Parts of the Human Brain

Updated 15 Dec 2011

This chart shows the major parts of the human brain with reference to Paul MacLean's triune brain theory

	Brain Stem	controls important automatic functions such as heart rate and breathing	Neural Chassis
	Pons	is involved in the transitions between being awake, being asleep, and dreaming
	Cerebellum	controls movements that have been learned and no longer require our direct attention such as keeping one's balance while walking, riding a bike, or playing the piano.
	Midbrain	is involved primarily in facial and eye movements
According to the triune brain theory developed by the influential neuroscientist Paul MacLean, the human forebrain contains three separate "drivers" that control the neural chassis, each of which represents a major stage in our evolutionary development.
	Basal Ganglia	is involved in initiating and controlling voluntary movements and relflex actions	"Reptilian" Brain According to MacLean, the oldest part of the forebrain (which we share with reptiles) controls our instincts, territorial behaviours and rituals
	Thalamus	is the main relay station for transferring information from the inner parts of the brain to the outer parts	"Old Mammalian" Brain (Limbic System) The next part of the forebrain (which we share with early mammals) is thought to be the main seat of our emotions and to play a major role in behaviours relating to reproduction and parenting
	Hypothalamus	controls the release of adrenaline as well as our appetite, sleep patterns and sex drive
	Pituitary Gland	releases hormones that control our growth, blood pressure, and metabolism
	Hippocampus	takes items from our short-term memory and indexes them into long-term memory
	Amygdala	involved in producing and regulating our emotions, especially fear
	Frontal Lobes	are the seat of human consciousness; they are the CEO of the brain, performing rational functions such as imagining the future and using logic to solve problems; they also include Broca's area (on the left front lobal), which is an important region for speech production, allowing us to turn thoughts into words	"New Mammalian" Brain (Neocortex) The most recent part of the brain to evolve (which we share with advanced mammals) is the seat of higher functions such as abstract thought and sensory perception. The LEFT side of the brain is more involved in language and analytical thought whereas the RIGHT side is more involved in intuition, emotions and creativity. The two sides are connected by the Corpus Callosum
	Parietal Lobes	are involved in the senses of taste, smell, and feel
	Occipital Lobes	process images from the eyes
	Temporal Lobes	process information from the ears and are involved in memory formation and retrieval