1.2 Describe main structures of the brain and their related functions

This guide will help you answer 1.2 Describe main structures of the brain and their related functions.

The human brain is a powerful and complex organ. It controls every action, thought, and feeling. Understanding its structure helps explain how people learn, remember, move, and respond to the world.

The human brain is divided into several main structures. Each structure has particular jobs, but they work together to keep the body running smoothly. Knowing about these areas is important for anyone working in health and social care, as it affects how care and support are given.

The Major Areas of the Brain

The brain can be divided into three main areas:

• The cerebrum
• The cerebellum
• The brainstem

Each area has smaller parts inside it. Together, they control everything from breathing to decision-making.

The Cerebrum

The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain. It sits at the top and covers most of the surface. The cerebrum is responsible for voluntary activities. This means it handles actions you decide to do, like walking, talking, or thinking about a problem.

Lobes of the Cerebrum

The cerebrum has four main lobes. Each lobe controls different functions:

Frontal Lobe

• Sits just behind the forehead.
• Controls thinking, planning, decision-making, problem-solving, and voluntary movements.
• Involved in personality and behaviour.
• Damage here may lead to changes in mood, personality, or loss of movement.

Parietal Lobe

• Found behind the frontal lobe, near the top and back of your head.
• Deals with processing sensory information such as touch, temperature, and pain.
• Helps you know where your body parts are in space (spatial awareness).

Occipital Lobe

• Located at the back of the head.
• Responsible for vision and processing visual information.

Temporal Lobe

• Sits just above your ears.
• Handles hearing, language, memory, and emotion.
• Includes the hippocampus, a part vital for forming new memories.

The Cortex

The outer layer of the cerebrum is called the cerebral cortex. The cortex is about 2-4mm thick and looks grey, so it’s often called “grey matter.” It contains billions of nerve cells and is where most complex thinking and planning happens.

Corpus Callosum

The corpus callosum is a wide band of nerve fibres underneath the cortex, connecting the left and right sides (hemispheres) of the cerebrum. It lets the two sides of the brain share information and work together.

• The left hemisphere is usually involved in language, maths, and logic.
• The right hemisphere is linked to creativity, imagination, and spatial skills.

Problems with the corpus callosum may affect coordination and communication between the two brain halves.

Basal Ganglia

This group of structures sits deep inside the cerebrum. The basal ganglia controls voluntary movements and habits. It helps start and stop actions and makes movements smooth.

Issues with the basal ganglia can cause movement problems such as those seen in Parkinson’s disease.

Limbic System

The limbic system is another set of structures deep within the cerebrum. Its main parts include:

• Amygdala: Deals with emotions, such as fear and pleasure.
• Hippocampus: Important for making new memories and learning.
• Hypothalamus: Controls hunger, thirst, body temperature, and hormone production.
• Thalamus: Acts as a relay station, passing sensory information from the body to the right parts of the cortex.

The limbic system helps process emotions, form memories, control behaviour, and keep basic body functions steady (homeostasis).

The Cerebellum

The cerebellum sits under the cerebrum at the back of the head. “Cerebellum” means “little brain” in Latin.

Main functions:

• Controls balance and posture.
• Fine-tunes movements, making them smooth and coordinated.
• Helps you learn motor skills, like riding a bicycle or playing a musical instrument.

The cerebellum receives information from muscles and joints to keep movements stable. Damage here may cause unsteady movements, shaky hands, or problems with balance.

The Brainstem

The brainstem is located at the bottom of the brain, connecting it to the spinal cord. It is vital for survival as it controls automatic functions that the body needs to live.

Main sections of the brainstem:

• Midbrain: Coordinates eye movements and responses to sounds.
• Pons: Passes messages between the cerebrum and cerebellum. It also plays a part in sleep, breathing, and facial expressions.
• Medulla Oblongata: Regulates vital functions like heartbeat, breathing, blood pressure, and swallowing.

Damage to the brainstem can cause problems with basic life functions and can be life-threatening.

Protecting the Brain

The brain sits inside the skull, which protects it from injury. It is also surrounded by three thin layers called the meninges:

• Dura mater (tough outer layer)
• Arachnoid mater (middle, web-like layer)
• Pia mater (thin, inner layer)

Between the layers is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which cushions the brain from knocks and removes waste.

Other Key Structures within the Brain

Ventricles

Ventricles are spaces or cavities inside the brain, filled with cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid protects the brain and keeps it healthy.

Pineal Gland

A small gland deep in the brain. It produces melatonin, a hormone that controls sleep patterns.

Pituitary Gland

Called the “master gland,” it produces hormones that affect growth, development, and other glands in the body.

Communication Within the Brain

All these structures send messages to each other using nerve cells called neurons. These neurons use electrical and chemical signals. The speed and accuracy of this communication help us react to our surroundings, remember, move, and feel.

Main Brain Structures and Their Functions

Structure	Location	Main Functions
Frontal lobe	Front of cerebrum	Thinking, planning, movement, personality
Parietal lobe	Top middle of cerebrum	Sensory processing, spatial awareness
Occipital lobe	Back of cerebrum	Vision
Temporal lobe	Side of cerebrum	Hearing, memory, language, emotion
Limbic system	Deep inside cerebrum	Emotions, memory, behaviour, hormone control
Basal ganglia	Deep inside cerebrum	Starting/stopping and controlling movements
Cerebellum	Under cerebrum, back	Balance, movement coordination, skill learning
Brainstem	Base of brain	Breathing, heart rate, swallowing, consciousness, sleep cycle
Hippocampus	Inner temporal lobe	Forming new memories, learning
Thalamus	Centre of brain	Sensory relay station, sends messages to correct areas of the brain
Hypothalamus	Below thalamus	Hormones, hunger, thirst, temperature, basic emotions
Corpus callosum	Between hemispheres	Connects left and right brain, transfers information between them

How Damage to Brain Structures Affects Function

Injuries, disease, stroke, or other problems can affect different areas of the brain. The effects depend on which part is damaged.

Examples:

• Injury to the frontal lobe might change someone’s personality or affect their ability to move one side of the body.
• Damage to the parietal lobe could cause problems with sensation, such as losing the ability to feel hot or cold.
• Problems in the cerebellum may cause someone to stumble or have clumsy movements.
• Damage to the medulla in the brainstem can disrupt breathing or heart function.

Common Medical Conditions Linked to Brain Structures

Understanding the main structures helps explain some common conditions:

• Stroke: Blood supply to part of the brain is blocked, damaging those cells. Effects depend on which area loses blood supply.
• Parkinson’s disease: Involves the basal ganglia, leading to movement and balance problems.
• Epilepsy: Abnormal electrical activity in the cortex causes seizures.
• Alzheimer’s disease: Destroys neurons in the cortex and hippocampus, causing memory loss and confusion.
• Multiple sclerosis: Damages the coatings of nerve cells, slowing messages.
• Trauma: Head injuries can bruise or tear tissue in any region.

Staff need to know which part of the brain is affected to plan care, provide support, and understand behaviour changes.

How This Knowledge Impacts Care

When working in health and social care, awareness of brain structure and function is important. It helps you:

• Recognise symptoms that may suggest brain injury or disease.
• Understand why a person might struggle with speech, movement, memory, or behaviour.
• Communicate effectively with other health professionals.
• Provide care and adapt support to suit the person’s needs.
• Offer explanations to family members and provide reassurance.

This is particularly useful for people supporting those with brain injuries, dementia, or movement disorders.

Final Thoughts

Learning about the brain’s main structures and their related functions gives care workers a strong foundation. This knowledge helps with making sense of different behaviours, supporting effective communication, and improving the quality of care. Every part of the brain plays a part in enabling people to live well, whether it’s remembering someone’s name, walking across a room, or reacting to pain.

Keeping in mind that brain injuries or conditions can affect people in unique ways is essential. No two individuals will respond or recover in exactly the same manner. By understanding the basic structures and their jobs, you can deliver person-centred care and respond to changing needs with informed confidence. This knowledge supports professional development and helps workers provide safe, respectful, and effective support in any health and social care setting.