The Brain 1

The Brain











Tammy Poe
Axia University of Phoenix










The Brain 2

The myelencephalon (medulla) is the most posterior division of the brain. The medulla is
tracts that carry signals between the rest of the brain and the body. The reticular formation is a
complex network of around 100 tiny nuclei that occupies the central core of the brain stem from
the posterior boundary of the myelencephalon to the anterior boundary of the mid-brain. The
reticular formation is also called the reticular activating system because it plays a role in arousal.
The various nuclei of the reticular formation take part in a variety of functions such as sleep,
attention, movement, and the maintenance of muscle tone, also various cardiac, circulatory, and
respiratory reflexes. However, damages to this part of the medulla can often be life-threatening.
The metencephalon also houses many ascending and descending tracts and part of the
reticular formation. These structures create a bulge called the pons, and the pons is located on the
brain stems ventral surface. Pons is one of the major division of the metencephalon, and the
cerebellum or little brain. The cerebellum is a large convoluted structure on the brain stems
dorsal surface, and it is an important sensorimotor structure. Cerebellar damage eliminates the
ability to precisely control ones movements and to adapt them to changing conditions.
The mesencephalon is much like the metencephalon, and it also has two divisions as well.
The two divisions are tectum, which is the dorsal surface of the midbrain also known as the roof.
The tectum is composed of two pairs of bumps, the colliculi or little hills, and the posterior pair,
which is called the inferior colliculli has an auditory function. The anterior pair called the
superior colliculi has a visual function in mammals. The tegmentum is the division of the
mesencephalon ventral to the tectum, and like the tectum, tegmentum also contains three colorful
structures that are of particular interest to biopsychologists. Periaqueductal gray, is the gray
matter situated around the cerebral aqueduct, the duct connecting the third and fourth ventricles,
and plays a role in mediating the analgesic (pain-reducing) effects of opiate drugs such as
The Brain 3

morphine and heroin. The substantia nigra (black substance) and the red nucleus are both
important components of the sensorimotor system.
The diencephalon is composed of two structures which are the thalamus and the
hypothalamus. The thalamus, is a large two-lobed structure that constitutes the top of the brain
stem. Each of the lobes is located on each side of the third ventricle, and they are joined by the
massa intermedia that run through the ventricle. The thalamus has many different pairs of nuclei
and most of which projects to the cortex. The sensory relay nuclei receive signals from sensory
receptors, process the signals, and then transmit them to the appropriate areas of sensory cortex.
The hypothalamus is located right below the anterior thalamus, and plays an important role in
the regulation of several motivated behaviors. It does its part by regulating the release of
hormones from the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland dangles from the hypothalamus on the
ventral surface of the brain. The pituitary gland is also called the snot gland; it was discovered
in a gelatinous state behind the nose of an unembalmed cadaver and was incorrectly assumed to
be the main source of nasal mucus. Along with the pituitary gland there are two other structures
that are obvious on the inferior surface of the hypothalamus; the optic chiasm and the
mammillary bodies.
The optic chiasm is the point at which the optic nerves from each eye come together. When
the axons of the optic nerve decussate, an X shape is then created, which means it crosses over to
the other side of the brain; the optic chiasm. This means the decussating fibers are said to be
contralateral; projecting from one side of the body to the other, and the nondecussating fibers are
said to be ipsilateral; staying on the same side of the body. The mammillary bodies a part of the
hypothalamus are a pair of spherical nuclei located on the inferior surface of the hypothalamus,
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right behind the pituitary. The telencephalon is the largest division of the human brain, and
mediates the brains most complex functions. The telencephalon initiates voluntary movement,
interprets sensory input, and mediates complex cognitive processes such as learning, speaking,
and problem solving.