Picture of The Brain: Prev Next

Picture of the Brain
Human Anatomy
By Matthew Hoffman, MD
Medically Reviewed by Carol DerSarkissian, MD on June 23, 2021
© 2014
WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
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The brain is one of the largest and most complex organs in the human
body.
It is made up of more than 100 billion nerves that communicate in trillions
of connections called synapses.
The brain is made up of many specialized areas that work together:

• The cortex is the outermost layer of brain cells. Thinking and voluntary
movements begin in the cortex.
• The brain stem is between the spinal cord and the rest of the brain. Basic
functions like breathing and sleep are controlled here.
• The basal ganglia are a cluster of structures in the center of the brain. The
basal ganglia coordinate messages between multiple other brain areas.
• The cerebellum is at the base and the back of the brain. The cerebellum is
responsible for coordination and balance.
The brain is also divided into several lobes:

• The frontal lobes are responsible for problem solving and judgment and
motor function.
• The parietal lobes manage sensation, handwriting, and body position.
• The temporal lobes are involved with memory and hearing.
• The occipital lobes contain the brain's visual processing system.
The brain is surrounded by a layer of tissue called the meninges. The skull
(cranium) helps protect the brain from injury.
SUGGESTED
Brain Conditions
 Headache: There are many types of headaches; some can be serious

but most are not and are generally treated with analgesics/painkillers.
 Stroke (brain infarction): Blood flow and oxygen are suddenly
interrupted to an area of brain tissue, which then dies. A blood clot,
or bleeding in the brain, are the cause of most strokes.
 Brain aneurysm: An artery in the brain develops a weak area that
swells, balloon-like. A brain aneurysm rupture can causes a stroke.
 Subdural hematoma: Bleeding within or under the dura, the lining
inside of the skull. A subdural hematoma may exert pressure on the
brain, causing neurological problems.
 Epidural hematoma: Bleeding between the tough tissue (dura) lining
the inside of the skull and the skull itself, usually shortly after a head
injury. Initial mild symptoms can progress rapidly to
unconsciousness and death, if untreated.
 Intracerebral hemorrhage: Any bleeding inside the brain.
 Concussion: A brain injury that causes a temporary disturbance in
brain function. Traumatic head injuries cause most concussions.
 Cerebral edema: Swelling of the brain tissue in response to injury or
electrolyte imbalances.
 Brain tumor: Any abnormal tissue growth inside the brain. Whether
malignant (cancer) or benign, brain tumors usually cause problems
by the pressure they exert on the normal brain.
 Glioblastoma: An aggressive, malignant brain tumor (cancer). Brain
glioblastomas progress rapidly and are very difficult to cure.
 Hydrocephalus: An abnormally increased amount of cerebrospinal
(brain) fluid inside the skull. Usually this is because the fluid is not
circulating properly.
 Normal pressure hydrocephalus: A form of hydrocephalus that often
causes problems walking, along with dementia and urinary
incontinence. Pressures inside the brain remain normal, despite the
increased fluid.
 Meningitis: Inflammation of the lining around the brain or spinal
cord, usually from infection. Stiff neck, neck pain, headache, fever,
and sleepiness are common symptoms.
 Encephalitis: Inflammation of the brain tissue, usually from infection
with a virus. Fever, headache, and confusion are common symptoms.
 Traumatic brain injury: Permanent brain damage from a traumatic
head injury. Obvious mental impairment, or more subtle personality
and mood changes can occur.
 Parkinson's disease: Nerves in a central area of the brain degenerate
slowly, causing problems with movement and coordination. A
tremor of the hands is a common early sign.
 Huntington's disease: An inherited nerve disorder that affects the
brain. Dementia and difficulty controlling movements (chorea) are its
symptoms.
 Epilepsy: The tendency to have seizures. Head injuries and strokes
may cause epilepsy, but usually no cause is identified.
 Dementia: A decline in cognitive function resulting from death or
malfunction of nerve cells in the brain. Conditions in which nerves in
the brain degenerate, as well as alcohol abuse and strokes, can cause
dementia.
 Alzheimer’s disease: For unclear reasons, nerves in certain brain
areas degenerate, causing progressive dementia. Alzheimer’s disease
is the most common form of dementia.
 Brain abscess: A pocket of infection in the brain, usually by bacteria.
Antibiotics and surgical drainage of the area are often necessary.

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Picture of the Brain

Medically Reviewed by Carol DerSarkissian, MD on June 23, 2021

The brain is made up of many specialized areas that work together:

The brain is also divided into several lobes:

 Headache: There are many types of headaches; some can be serious

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