Know Your Brain

What happens when parts of your brain are impacted by stroke, brain injury, aphasia, or other cognitive and communication disorders? Learn the primary function of each part of the brain to better understand the impact of these neurological events.

Learn the Parts of the Brain

The cerebellum is a compact, wrinkled structure located beneath and behind the main part of the brain. It helps coordinate movement by combining sensory input from the eyes, ears, and muscles. For example, it becomes active when you’re learning a new skill like playing the piano.

The brainstem connects the brain to the spinal cord and manages essential life functions, including heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. It also plays a key role in regulating sleep.

The cerebrum is the brain’s largest region and the part most people picture when they think of the brain. Its outer layer, known as the cerebral cortex or “gray matter,” is covered in folds and grooves. These wrinkles increase the surface area, allowing the brain to process more information.

A deep groove, or fissure, divides the cerebrum into two halves called the left and right hemispheres. These hemispheres are connected by a thick bundle of nerve fibers called the corpus callosum, which allows them to communicate. Interestingly, each hemisphere typically controls the opposite side of the body—for example, the left side of the brain manages the right side of the body, and vice versa.

Each hemisphere of the cerebrum has four lobes.

1. Frontal lobe – Involved in thinking, voluntary movement, and social behavior.
2. Parietal lobe – Processes spatial and sensory information.
3. Temporal lobe – Assists with memory, language, and emotions.
4. Occipital lobe – Interprets visual input from the eyes.