Tour of the Human Brain

The human brain is unique. It is part of your central nervous system which contains billions or nerve cells and trillions of support cells. The brain is the central computer that controls all bodily functions; the nervous system relays messages from the brain to different parts of the body. It gives us the power to think, plan, speak, and imagine. It controls body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing. The brain also accepts information about the world around you from your five senses. It handles physical motion when walking, standing or sitting, and it lets you think, dream, reason, and experience emotions. The brain has five key parts that work together to make your brain function; the cerebrum, cerebellum, brain stem, pituitary gland, and the hypothalamus. All this fits inside your brain which is about the size of a head of cauliflower.
The cerebrum is the biggest part of your brain; it makes up about 85% of your brains weight. It is the thinking part of your brain and it controls your voluntary muscles. Your memory is also part of your cerebrum, both short-term and long-term. The cerebrum is divided into two hemispheres. The right hemisphere helps you with music, colors and shapes. The left hemisphere helps you with math logic and speech. The cerebellum is at the back the brain right below the cerebrum. The cerebellum processes input from other areas of the brain, spinal cord and senses. It controls balance, movement, and coordination. The brain stem sits in front and under the cerebellum. It connects the rest of the brain to the spinal cord and is in charge of all the functions your body needs to stay alive, like breathing air, food digestion and blood circulation. The brain stem also sorts through millions of messages that the brain and the rest of the body send back and forth. The pituitary gland produces and releases hormones into your body. The special hormones released into your body are responsible for body growth.