Each Part of the Brain Controls what?

The brain is a remarkable organ and incredibly complex. The three main regions of the brain are the midbrain, hindbrain and forebrain, which is broken up into additional sections including the frontal lobe, occipital lobe and temporal lobe that control different parts of the body. All of these work together like a well-oiled machine to allow humans to function properly.

The cerebellum is located at the lower back part of the brain. This part of the brain controls equilibrium and balance and allows humans to move correctly. It coordinates the muscles and joins so they can work together.

The occipital lobe controls vision. It is located at the very back part of the brain and affects how humans judge everything visual, from how something moves to how colors register. Two signs that something is wrong in this area of the brain are if the person experiences hallucinations or perceives colors differently.

A part of the brain called the temporal lobe controls a very important part of a person: memories. In addition, this specific part of the brain controls language functions, sexual functions and personality. It also has an effect on how the person perceives verbal and non-verbal input.

The frontal lobe is located directly at the forehead. This part of the brain controls judgments, impulses, motor functions, language, problem-solving and how people react to situations. The frontal lobe is separated into two sections, the left and the right, each witch controls different characteristics. When injury occurs to this part of the brain or it simply does not function properly, a person may have difficulty doing much of anything.

The parietal lobe is located at the upper back portion of the head and is behind the frontal lobe. This part of the brain controls much of how a person processes sensation and processes information. When a severe problem occurs in this part of the brain, it can affect how the person views him or herself.

The brain stem is an incredibly important part of the brain as a whole. It is located at the very base of the brain and is responsible for being a conduit for the information that passes from body to brain and vice versa. Damage to this area can be destructive, as this area of the brain controls breathing, speech, alertness and also gives instruction to the heart to beat.

Although the brain may seem small at only about 3 pounds (1.3 kg), it is everything when it comes to how a person functions on a day-to-day basis. It is because of this that whenever there is a head injury, no matter how insignificant it may seem, the person should see a doctor immediately. Keeping the brain healthy can help the person function correctly through life.