The Human Brain
Created | Updated Sep 5, 2002
Our brain contains over 10 billion nerve cells and on average weighs
about 1400g. It receives sensory in formation via spinal nerves from
the spinal cord and cranial nerves from the sense organs suchas the eye and
the ear. When the information has been processed within the brain,
appropriate instructions are sent out alon motor neurons to effector organs
suchas the muscles.The brain is enclosed whithin three membranes. The
meninges, and is protected by the rigid bones of the skull.The forebrain
consists of the cerebral hemispheres, the thalamus and the hypothalamus The
outermost layerof the cerebral hemisphere, which are deeply folded
and cover most of the surface of the human brain, is known as the
cerebral cortex. It is involved in the integration of all sensory
input into the brain, including memory and learning, enabling
behaviour to be based on past experience. The midbrain connects the
fore brain to the hind brain, which comprises the cerebellum, the
medulla oblongata and the pons. The cerebellum co-ordinates complex
muscular processes such as maintaining posture, and the medulla
oblongata contains centres that regulate breathing, heartbeat and
blood pressure.
about 1400g. It receives sensory in formation via spinal nerves from
the spinal cord and cranial nerves from the sense organs suchas the eye and
the ear. When the information has been processed within the brain,
appropriate instructions are sent out alon motor neurons to effector organs
suchas the muscles.The brain is enclosed whithin three membranes. The
meninges, and is protected by the rigid bones of the skull.The forebrain
consists of the cerebral hemispheres, the thalamus and the hypothalamus The
outermost layerof the cerebral hemisphere, which are deeply folded
and cover most of the surface of the human brain, is known as the
cerebral cortex. It is involved in the integration of all sensory
input into the brain, including memory and learning, enabling
behaviour to be based on past experience. The midbrain connects the
fore brain to the hind brain, which comprises the cerebellum, the
medulla oblongata and the pons. The cerebellum co-ordinates complex
muscular processes such as maintaining posture, and the medulla
oblongata contains centres that regulate breathing, heartbeat and
blood pressure.
