Label and list the location of the part of the central nervous system: spinal cord,
corpus callosum, thalamus, brain stem, pituitary gland, cerebrum, hypothalamus,
cerebellum
- Spinal cord: extends from the base of the brain down the back, inside the spinal column
- Corpus callosum: lies beneath the cerebral cortex, connecting the left and right hemispheres of the brain
- Thalamus: located in the center of the brain, below the corpus callosum
- Brain stem: located at the base of the brain, connecting the brain to the spinal cord
- Pituitary gland: located at the base of the brain, attached to the hypothalamus
- Cerebrum: located in the largest part of the brain, covering the top and front of the brain
- Hypothalamus: located just below the thalamus in the brain
- Cerebellum: located at the back of the brain, beneath the cerebral cortex.
Now what are the main functions of those parts.
- Spinal cord: transmits messages between the brain and the rest of the body, controls basic reflexes such as withdrawal or stepping away from pain
- Corpus callosum: facilitates communication between the left and right hemispheres of the brain, allowing for integrated functioning
- Thalamus: acts as a relay station for sensory information, helping to process and relay signals to and from the brain
- Brain stem: regulates basic life functions such as heart rate, breathing, and sleep. It also serves as a pathway for motor and sensory information to travel between the brain and the body
- Pituitary gland: often referred to as the "master gland," controls the release of hormones and plays a critical role in regulating growth, metabolism, reproduction, and stress response
- Cerebrum: responsible for higher brain functions such as thinking, perceiving, planning, and voluntary movement
- Hypothalamus: controls various bodily functions such as temperature regulation, hunger, thirst, and circadian rhythms. It also plays a key role in controlling the release of hormones from the pituitary gland
- Cerebellum: involved in coordination of movement, balance, posture, and muscle tone. It also plays a role in motor learning and cognitive functions related to language and attention.