Parts of the Brain: Study Notes

For the complete syllabus, check out our PMDC MDCAT Syllabus 2025 article.

Forebrain:

• Thalamus:
  • Acts as a relay station for sensory information from the eyes, ears, skin, and internal receptors, directing signals to the appropriate brain areas for processing.
• Limbic System:
• Hypothalamus:
  • Regulates essential body functions such as temperature, hunger, menstrual cycle, and sleep-wake rhythm. It also produces hormones and controls the autonomic nervous system.
• Amygdala:
  • Manages emotions such as pleasure, fear, punishment, sexual arousal, and anger.
• Hippocampus:
  • Essential for forming long-term memories and learning.
• Cerebrum:
  • The largest region of the brain, divided into two hemispheres connected by the corpus callosum. The cerebral cortex processes sensory information, reasoning, memory, and voluntary movements, managing specific functions in different lobes.

Parts of brain with main functions:

Midbrain:

• Reticular Formation:
  • A network of neurons that connects the forebrain and hindbrain. It plays a role in regulating sleep, arousal, and some reflex actions.

Hindbrain:

• Pons:
  • Influences the sleep-wake cycle and helps regulate breathing patterns.
• Medulla:
  • Controls automatic vital functions such as breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and swallowing.
• Cerebellum:
  • Coordinates voluntary movements, balance, and posture. It supports smooth and precise muscle activity and plays a role in learning and memory for physical tasks.

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