The Brain

The Brain

PSY/240
Due 8/26/12


There are five major structures of the brain. These structures include the myelencephalon (or medulla), metencephalon, mesencephalon, diecephalon, and telencephalon. Each of these brain structures contribute to different functions in the human body.
The first structure of the brain is the myelencephalon also called the medulla. The myelencephalon is the most posterior part of the brain. This structure is made up of bundles of axons called tracts that carry signals between the rest of the body and the brain. The reticular formation is also a part of the myelencephalon. The reticular formation is a complex system of 100 tiny nuclei that occupy the central core of the brain stem from the bottom extremity of the myelencephalon to the top extremity of the midbrain. Parts of the reticular formation play a role in arousal. Since there are different nuclei in the reticular formation it is involved in a variety of different functions such as sleep regulation, movement, attention, muscle tone management, and reflexes of the cardiac, circulatory, and respiratory systems. The myelencephalon structure is responsible for controlling autonomic functions such as heart rate, digestion, and breathing.
The second structure of the brain is the metencephalon, like the medulla it houses parts of the reticular formation and tracts that are also located in the myelencephalon. The metencephalon is made up of two parts which are the pons and the cerebellum. The pons also consists of some of the tracts and reticular formation as in the myelencephalon. The cerebellum is a very important sensorimotor structure. The cerebellums functions also include muscle movement coordination and posture maintenance. The metecephalons functions are arousal, sleep; assist in controlling autonomic functions; such as sending sensory information between the cerebrum and cerebellum and controlling movement. For instance, if the cerebellum was damaged an individual may show...