Know Your Brain

Know Your Brain Resource Download

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.

Get the guide

Name
Please select which best describes you:(Required)
What topic(s) are you interested in?
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
(Required)

Latest from the Brainwire blog

Hemiparesis vs Hemiplegia: What’s the Difference?

Hemiparesis vs Hemiplegia: What’s the Difference?

Two common conditions can develop after surviving a stroke: hemiparesis and hemiplegia. You may be asking yourself, “Are hemiparesis and hemiplegia the same thing?” Since these two medical conditions sound similar, people often confuse or use them interchangeably. But they are not the same.

Adult Speech Therapy: What It Is & How It Works

Adult Speech Therapy: What It Is & How It Works

Speech therapy for adults often includes an assessment, diagnosis, and treatment plan carried out by a qualified speech-language pathologist (SLP). There is a broad spectrum of communication disorders that impact a person’s ability to express or understand language, including fluency disorders, such as stuttering, motor speech disorders, voice disorders, and language disorders.

Watch how-to videos

FOR PATIENTS

$

Need help? Contact the Support team

$