Introduction    Forebrain    Midbrain    Hindbrain    Spinal Cord    Cerebral Vasculature  
 

More maps of the brain
    Forebrain
    Midbrain
    Hindbrain
    Spinal cord
    Lobes
    Limbic system
    Coronal section
    Cerebral vasculature

 

Brain Atlas

Forebrain Forebrain

The forebrain forebrain is the largest part of the brain, most of which is made up of the cerebrum cerebrum. Other important structures found in the forebrain include the thalamus thalamus, the hypothalamus hypothalamus and the limbic system limbic system.

The cerebrum is divided into two cerebral hemispheres connected by a mass of white matter white matter known as the corpus callosum corpus callosum. Each hemisphere is divided into four lobes lobes: frontal, parietal parietal, occipital occipital and temporal. The surface of each hemisphere is made up of grey matter grey matter known as the cerebral cortex cerebral cortex and is highly folded to increase the cortical surface area available within the confines of the skull. The cortex controls perception, memory, and all higher cognitive functions, including the ability to concentrate, reason and think in abstract form.

Unfolded, the highly convoluted cortex of the brain would extend over 2 square metres.

Beneath the cortex is white matter, within which a number of nuclei (grey matter), known as the basal nuclei basal nuclei are found. The basal nuclei receive information from the cortex to regulate skeletal movement and other higher motor functions.

The thalamus functions to relay sensory information to the cerebral cortex and the hypothalamus regulates visceral functions, such as temperature, reproductive functions, eating, sleeping and the display of emotion. The limbic system describes a collection of structures within the forebrain, including the amygdala amygdala hippocampus hippocampus. Also known as the 'emotional brain', the limbic system is important in the formation of memories and in controlling emotions, decisions, motivation and learning.

Disorders that affect the forebrain

Region

Disorder

Cerebral cortex

depression, Huntington's disease, mania

Cerebrum

epilepsy, stroke

  • frontal lobe

Alzheimer's disease, depression, mania

  • parietal lobe
Alzheimer's diseasea
  • temporal lobe

Alzheimer's disease, depression, mania

Limbic system

mania
  • amygdala

depression
  • hippocampus

Alzheimer's disease, mania

 

 

 

 

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