The Human Brain Case Study

The Brain

The human brain is an amazing organ that is responsible for every function of the human body. It consists of five major structures; myelencephalon; metencephelon; mesencephalon; deincepholon; and telencephalon (Pinel, 2007). These structures start to form in the vertebrate embryo. The central nervous system begins as a fluid filled tube where, at the anterior end the brain begins to develop. The first part of brain development is noted by three swellings that will become the adult forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain. The forebrain and the hindbrain grow into two different swellings these, along with the midbrain become the five major structures of the brain (Pinel, 2007). Each of the five structures plays a very important role in the function of the body.

Myelencephalon

The myelencephalon is also referred to as the medulla. It is the most posterior portion of the brain and part of the hindbrain (Pinel, 2007). The myelencephalon is made up of 100 tiny nuclei that occupy the central core of the brain stem. This part of the brain is involved in many different functions including, sleep, attention and movement. It maintains various cardiac, circulatory, and respiratory reflexes (Pinel, 2007).

Metencephalon

The metencepalon contains many ascending and descending tracts as well as part of the reticular formation (Pinel, 2007). A buldge called the pons is created by these structures. The pons can be located on the front portion of the brain stem. The metencephalon also consists of the cerebellum which can be found on the back portion of the brain stem. It is important for sensory and motor functions within the body (Pinel, 2007). Damage to this portion of the brain can cause problems controlling movements as well as some cognitive deficits.

Mesencephalon

The mesencephalon has two divisions; the tectum and the tegmentum. The tectum is made up of two pairs of bumps called the colliculi. The inferior colliculi have an auditory function and the superior colliculi have a visual function (Pinel, 2007).

The tegmentum contains three structures; the periaqueductal gray, the substantia nigra, and the red nucleus. The periaqueductal gray is the gray matter that surrounds the cerebral aqueduct. Its role is to mediate the analgesic effects of opiate drugs. The substantia nigra and the red nucleus are important parts of the sensorimotor system (Pinel, 2007).

Diencephalon

The diencephalon consists of two structures; the thalamus and the hypothalamus (Pinel, 2007). The thalamus is part of the top portion of the brain stem. It consists of many pairs of nuclei, some of these nuclei are sensory relay nuclei that receive signals from sensory receptors and transmit them to the sensory cortex (Pinel, 2007). The lateral geniculate nuclei, the medial