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| Basic structures of the hindbrain |
The Hindbrain
The hindbrain is considered the most primitive component of the brain. It is located at the top of the spinal cord, just inside the base of the skull. Its main components are the medulla, the pons, and the cerebellum.
The medulla is located just at the top of the spinal cord at the lower end of the hindbrain. The medulla controls many autonomic functions including respiration, circulation, and digestion. At the top of the medulla, just under the midbrain, is a small region called the reticular activating system. The reticular activating system is believed to harbour our centre of arousal and motivation. This system acts as a primary filter on all incoming neural signals. Signals are forwarded to other parts of the brain only if the input is deemed significant. The reticular activating system is also involved in maintaining consciousness and regulating sleep.
The cerebellum is located at the back of the hindbrain, behind the medulla. It is about the size of a small apple and is divided into left and right hemispheres . Its compact structure contains about fifty percent of the brain’s neurons in only ten percent of the brain’s volume. About 200 million input neurons from the spinal cord pass through the cerebellum. The cerebellum also controls subconscious movements to maintain posture, balance, and co-ordination.
The pons is a swelling around the medulla just in front of the cerebellum. It connects the two halves of the cerebellum and manages the switching of signals from one side of the body to the opposite side of the brain. It plays a major role in relaying sensory information from the cerebellum to the forebrain.
The hindbrain is considered the most primitive component of the brain. It is located at the top of the spinal cord, just inside the base of the skull. Its main components are the medulla, the pons, and the cerebellum.
The medulla is located just at the top of the spinal cord at the lower end of the hindbrain. The medulla controls many autonomic functions including respiration, circulation, and digestion. At the top of the medulla, just under the midbrain, is a small region called the reticular activating system. The reticular activating system is believed to harbour our centre of arousal and motivation. This system acts as a primary filter on all incoming neural signals. Signals are forwarded to other parts of the brain only if the input is deemed significant. The reticular activating system is also involved in maintaining consciousness and regulating sleep.
The cerebellum is located at the back of the hindbrain, behind the medulla. It is about the size of a small apple and is divided into left and right hemispheres . Its compact structure contains about fifty percent of the brain’s neurons in only ten percent of the brain’s volume. About 200 million input neurons from the spinal cord pass through the cerebellum. The cerebellum also controls subconscious movements to maintain posture, balance, and co-ordination.
The pons is a swelling around the medulla just in front of the cerebellum. It connects the two halves of the cerebellum and manages the switching of signals from one side of the body to the opposite side of the brain. It plays a major role in relaying sensory information from the cerebellum to the forebrain.
