41 Peer Pointers

Brain Vocabulary

Cerebrum
Cerebrum – The largest part of the brain; controls voluntary actions, thought, memory, and sensory processing.
Cerebral Cortex – The outer layer of the cerebrum; involved in higher-level thinking and decision-making.
Frontal Lobe – Controls reasoning, planning, movement, emotions, and problem-solving.
Parietal Lobe – Processes sensory input like touch, temperature, and pain.
Temporal Lobe – Involved in hearing, memory, and speech.
Occipital Lobe – Processes visual information.

Diencephalon
Thalamus – Relay center that directs sensory signals to the appropriate parts of the brain.

Hypothalamus – Regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, and hormones via the pituitary gland.
Epithalamus (including Pineal Gland) regulates sleep-wake cycles via melatonin production.

Brainstem
Midbrain – Controls reflexes related to vision and hearing.
Pons – Connects the cerebrum with the cerebellum and assists in breathing control.
Medulla Oblongata – Controls vital functions like heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing.

Cerebellum
Cerebellum – Coordinates muscle movements, posture, and balance.

Other Key Structures
Corpus Callosum – Thick band of nerve fibers that connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres.
Limbic System – Involved in emotions and memory; includes the hippocampus and amygdala.
Hippocampus – Critical for memory formation.

Amygdala – Processes emotions, especially fear and pleasure.
Ventricles – Fluid-filled spaces in the brain that circulate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) – Cushions and protects the brain and spinal cord.

Cranial Nerve Names Mnemonic

“Oh, Oh, Oh, To Touch And Feel Very Good
Velvet, Ah Heaven.”
1. Olfactory (I)
2. Optic (II)
3. Oculomotor (III)
4. Trochlear (IV)
5. Trigeminal (V)
6. Abducens (VI)
7. Facial (VII)
8. Vestibulocochlear (VIII)
9. Glossopharyngeal (IX)
10.Vagus (X)
11.Accessory (XI)
12.Hypoglossal (XII)