The brain is composed of three main divisions.They are the cerebrum, the cerebellum,and the brain tem.The cerebrum has two halves, or hemispheres. Intelligence,learning and judgment reside in these two halves. The cerebrums fill the entire upper part of your skull, and this should give some idea about its importance.The cerebellum (it is a Latin word meaning ‘little cerebrum') is only one eigth the size of the cerebrum. its main functions are to maintain equilibrium and to coordinate muscular activities. The brain stem,is also sometimes called the lower brain. It includes parts such as the thalamus and hypothalamus,which regulate hunger, thirst, sleep, etc.; the midbrain and pons, whose task is to transfer impulses from one part of the brain to another; and the medulla, which controls blood pressure, the beating of the heart,and other vital functions.
Cerebrum
The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain. lt consists of tvvo deeply-wrinkled hemispheres of nerve tissue, one hemisphere on each sideof the head.
All of man's conscious activities are controlled by his cerebrum. it enables him to remember,perceivethings, solve problemsand understand meanings in to think. Thanks to man‘s mostdhighly developed cerebrum,he is the mostintelligent of all animals.
The involuntary muscles are controlled bya small part of the brain that is at the top of the spinal cord.This is the medulla. lt is a little more than an inch long and is really a thickening of the spinal cord. The medulla controls the beating ofthe heart, the rate of breathing, the movements of the stomach and intestines, the move ments of the gnllet when swallowing and other vital activities of the body.
Cerebellum
At the back of the skull,and almost covered by the cerebrum, is the cerebellum. This part of the brain, too, consists of two hemispheres. The cerebellum coordinates muscular activity. lt is the cerebellum that is respon sible for mans ability to learn habits and develop skills.
As an infant you learned after many tries and falls, to stand upright. Learning to walk was another accomplishment that took much time and effort. Now, you don't have to give any thought to standing and walking. They have become habitual. Yet these activities require the use of many muscles in exactly the right order.
The cerebellum automatically controls these muscles. Have you learned to ride a bicycle? At first, you had to think about each move you made, but soon the movements became automatic. Then you had to think only when an unusual situation arose. When you were learning,your cerebrum was in control of your movements as you thought about just which muscles you were going to use next. Later, when you knew how to make each movement correctly, your cerebellum took over control from your cerebrum. Although the cerebellum's muscular control is automatic, it is important to remember that the muscles it controls
are voluntary muscles.
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