MEPX
Chapter 11 of 14All chapters

Chapter 11 of 14

The brain

Three parts and what each does.

The main regions

The cerebrum is the large folded part handling thought, language and voluntary movement. The cerebellum sits underneath at the back and handles balance and coordination.

  • The brain stem runs breathing, heart rate and blood pressure.
  • Damage to the cerebellum shows up as unsteady movement rather than confusion.

Lobes and supply

The cerebrum divides into frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital lobes, with vision at the back and planning at the front. The brain is about 2 percent of body weight and takes 20 percent of the oxygen.