All parts of the brain › Compare two parts

Brain parts people mix up, compared

Each page lights both parts at once on the 3D brain, one in blue and one in orange, puts them side by side (where, what it does, what it connects with, size) and measures how far apart they sit on the model. Every fact is cited; every number is measured from the model.

• Hippocampus vs amygdala Both sit deep in the inner (medial) part of each temporal lobe and both count as parts of the limbic system, but they do different jobs: the hippocampus turns short-term memories into long-term ones and supports spatial memory, while the amygdala has a primary role in processing memory, decision-making and emotional responses such as fear, anxiety and aggression. [1][2][3] Measured from the model: centres 20 mm apart (left hippocampus to left amygdala) [4].
• Thalamus vs hypothalamus The hypothalamus lies below the thalamus (hypo- is Greek for “under”), and together they make up the diencephalon, between the cerebrum and the midbrain. The thalamus relays sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex; the hypothalamus links the nervous system to the hormone (endocrine) system through the pituitary gland. [5][6][7] Measured from the model: centres 28 mm apart (left thalamus to hypothalamus) [4].
• Cerebrum vs cerebellum The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain, the two cerebral hemispheres on top; the cerebellum (Latin for “little brain”) is tucked under the back of them, separated by a sheet of dura mater, the cerebellar tentorium. With the cerebellum’s help the cerebrum controls all voluntary actions; the cerebellum does not start movements, it fine-tunes their coordination, precision and timing. [8][9][10] Measured from the model: centres 65 mm apart (cerebrum (both hemispheres) to cerebellum) [4].
• Pons vs medulla oblongata Both are parts of the brainstem: the pons (Latin for “bridge”) is the bulge in the middle, below the midbrain, and the medulla oblongata is the stem below it that continues as the spinal cord. The pons relays signals from the forebrain to the cerebellum; the medulla runs involuntary (autonomic) functions, with the cardiovascular and respiratory centres. [11][12][13] Measured from the model: centres 24 mm apart (pons to medulla oblongata) [4].
• Caudate nucleus vs putamen Together they make up the dorsal striatum, part of the basal ganglia, and a band of white matter, the internal capsule, runs between them. The caudate nucleus is C-shaped, with a head, a body and a tail; the putamen is a rounded nucleus that, with the globus pallidus, forms the lentiform nucleus. Both help regulate movement and take part in learning. [14][15][16] Measured from the model: centres 10 mm apart (left caudate nucleus to left putamen) [4].