Human Brain Anatomy: Overview, Functions, and Conditions

The human brain is nothing short of spectacular – it’s already incredible enough that it operates as the “chief choreographer” of the body and regulates its various functions to keep us alive and well, but it is also extraordinary that the brain has the ability to be so adaptable and to rewire itself when need be. This ability is known as neuroplasticity, and it’s what makes it possible to learn new things as we go through life and to heal ourselves after serious illness or injuries. The brain is an intricate system that works together in perfect harmony to allow us to explore and perceive the world in a remarkable way, and today we’re going to break down and gain a better understanding of the different parts that make up this system.

Table of Contents  hide

• Overview of human brain anatomy
• Frontal lobe
• Parietal lobe
• Temporal lobe
• Occipital lobe
• Functions
• Conditions

Overview of human brain anatomy

The brain is quite complex and is always engaged and processing throughout the day no matter what. Roughly three quarters of the brain is comprised of water, and its primary source of fuel is glucose. The brain does not have any available fuel stores within it, so it needs this convenient and readily accessible form of energy to execute the many operations it’s in charge of. The human brain has a staggering 86 billion neurons within it, which can be compared to the number of stars within our entire galaxy! These neurons communicate with one another with the help of neurotransmitters that work to send signals across the synapses for everything we think and do.

The brain has designated sections throughout it that help us better understand the various operations they’re responsible for, which include the cerebral cortex, the brainstem, the basal ganglia, and the cerebellum. These areas work together in unison to control and regulate things like breathing, sleeping, voluntary and involuntary movement, and balance. The brain is also separated into different sections, or lobes, known as the:

Frontal lobe

The frontal lobe is in charge of helping us make judgments, problem solving, and our impulse control. This lobe is also responsible for communicating through language, voluntary movements, and processing emotions.

Parietal lobe

The parietal lobe plays a key role in processing our senses of taste, smell, hearing, sight, and touch. This lobe not only helps us perceive the various sensations we come in contact with, but also with integrating sensory information so that we can comprehend it.

Temporal lobe

The temporal lobes are the primary areas where auditory information is sorted out and are also used in the processing of memory. The temporal lobes help us differentiate between sounds and languages, and they also play a big part in maintaining our long-term memory.

Occipital lobe

The occipital lobe is what allows us to process visual input. Not only does this lobe permit us with the ability to see, but it’s also in charge of spatial comprehension, face recognition, depth perception, and color differentiation.

Functions

We literally would not be able to function without everything the brain does for us, and it truly works in a perfect balance that enables us to socialize, invent, complete amazing physical feats, and perform our natural bodily functions that we need to survive. The largest and one of the most important parts of the brain is the cerebral cortex, which is directly associated with overall consciousness and helps to control a large majority of the entire brain’s different functions through processing sensations, memories, and movements. The brainstem aids in the regulation of the most important involuntary functions like breathing, the heart rate, and sleeping. The basal ganglia primarily works to support motor control, and the cerebellum is imperative for maintaining balance.

Conditions

Just like any other part or organ within the body, the brain is susceptible to its own ailments that can onset due to injury or genetics. Neuroscience has come so far in recent years and is gaining a deeper understanding of some of the most common conditions that affect the brain and how we can address them. Some of the conditions that are seen most frequently and that we help treat through re-origin include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Chronic Fatigue
• Limbic System Impairment
• Sensitivities

We are really starting to see just how much neuroplasticity can come into play and improve the negative symptoms from these ailments, and have of course experienced it firsthand. Neuroplasticity offers us a way to treat these issues at the source and to heal from them, rather than mask them with medications that may bring on a slew of other side effects. Through harnessing the brain’s phenomenal ability to form new neural connections, rewire itself, and create stronger bonds at the synapses, neuroplasticity makes the seemingly impossible, possible.

At re-origin, we’ve seen firsthand what neuroplasticity is capable of and want you to grasp this limitless potential too. You can join our community and benefit from the abundance of knowledge and information that is provided for our members, and also have a top-notch support system that is here to encourage, help, and service you in any way that we can.