perform organised actions and create images, symbols, associations, and memories. The cerebrum is divided into two symmetrical halves, called the Cerebral Hemispheres. Although the two hemispheres appear identical, functionally one hemisphere usually dominates the other. For example, the left hemisphere usually controls language regulate basic life supporting activities like breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.
This is why medulla is known as the vital centre of the brain. It has some centres of autonomic activities also. Pons : It is connected with medulla on one side and with the midbrain on the other. A nucleus (neural centre) of pons receives auditory signals relayed by our ears.
It is believed that pons is involved in sleep mechanism, particularly the sleep characterised by dreaming. It contains nuclei affecting respiratory movement and facial expressions also. Cerebellum : This highly developed part of the hindbrain can be easily recognised by its wrinkled surface. It maintains and controls posture and equilibrium of the body.
Its main function is coordination of muscular movements. Though the motor commands originate in the forebrain, the cerebellum receives and coordinates them to relay to the muscles. It also stores the memory of movement patterns so that we do not have to concentrate on how to walk, dance, or ride a bicycle. Midbrain The midbrain is relatively small in size and it connects the hindbrain with the forebrain.
A few neural centres related to some special reflexes and visual and auditory sensations are found here. An important part of midbrain, known as Reticular Activating System (RAS), is responsible for our arousal. It makes us alert and active by regulating sensory inputs. It also helps us in selecting information from the environment.
Forebrain It is considered to be the most important part of the brain because it performs all cognitive, emotional, and motor activities. We will discuss four major parts of the forebrain: hypothalamus, thalamus, limbic system, and cerebrum. Hypothalamus : The hypothalamus is one of the smallest structures in the brain, but plays behaviour. The right hemisphere is usually specialised to deal with images, spatial relationships, and pattern recognition.