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Parts of the brain and what each does

The brain has three main divisions: the forebrain (the cerebrum and the diencephalon) at the front and top, the midbrain below it, and the hindbrain (the pons, the medulla oblongata and the cerebellum) at the back and bottom. [1][2][3]

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Forebrain

The cerebrum: its halves and lobes

Part	Where it is	What it does
Forebrain	The front and top of the brain [1][4][5]	The forebrain controls body temperature, reproductive functions, eating, sleeping and the display of emotions [1]
Cerebrum	The two cerebral hemispheres that sit on top of the brainstem [4][6]	The cortex is the part responsible for the higher functions of the nervous system [6]
Cerebral hemispheres	The left and right halves of the cerebrum [7][8]	Each half works the opposite side of the body [8][7]
Frontal lobe	The front part of each cerebral hemisphere, behind the forehead [9][6]	Precentral gyrus is the primary motor cortex, which controls voluntary movements of specific body parts [6][9]
Prefrontal cortex	The front part of the frontal lobe, behind the forehead [10][6]	Executive functions: adapting thinking to meet goals, planning, decision making and working memory [10]
Parietal lobe	The upper back part of each cerebral hemisphere [11]	Its main sensation is somatosensation: the general sensations of the body, such as touch [6]
Temporal lobe	Beneath the lateral (Sylvian) fissure, behind the temple of the head [12][6]	It holds the primary auditory cortex, on the superior temporal gyrus [13][6]
Occipital lobe	Back end of each cerebral hemisphere, at the rear of the skull [14][6]	It is the main visual processing centre [14][15][6]
Insula	Cortex folded deep inside the lateral (Sylvian) sulcus of each hemisphere [16][17]	Interoception: it handles sensations from inside the body [16]

Gyri: the ridges of the cortex

Part	Where it is	What it does
Superior frontal gyrus	The top of the three horizontal ridges on each frontal lobe [18][9]	It is linked to language, in particular starting speech spontaneously [18]
Middle frontal gyrus	Between the superior frontal gyrus above and the inferior frontal gyrus below [19][9]	The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex supports executive functions: working memory, cognitive flexibility, planning [20]
Inferior frontal gyrus	Above the lateral (Sylvian) fissure; it is part of the prefrontal cortex [21]	Make up Broca’s area, which is involved in language processing and producing speech [21][22]
Orbitofrontal cortex	The underside of each frontal lobe [23]	Involved in decision-making and is thought to represent emotion, taste, smell and reward [23]
Precentral gyrus	At the back edge of the frontal lobe [24]	The site of the primary motor cortex (Brodmann area 4) [24][25]
Postcentral gyrus	A strip of cortex at the front edge of each parietal lobe [26]	The primary somatosensory cortex, the main receiving area for the sense of touch [26][27]
Superior parietal lobule	The upper part of each parietal lobe, behind the postcentral gyrus [28]	It is involved in spatial orientation, and receives a great deal of visual input [28]
Supramarginal gyrus	The front part of the inferior parietal lobule in each hemisphere [29][30]	Part of the somatosensory association cortex, which interprets touch [29]
Angular gyrus	A ridge of cortex in the lower part of each parietal lobe [31]	It is involved in a wide range of processes: language, number processing, spatial cognition [31]
Superior temporal gyrus	Just below the lateral (Sylvian) fissure and somewhat above the ear [32]	It is essential for hearing [32][33]
Middle temporal gyrus	Between the superior temporal gyrus above and the inferior temporal gyrus below [34]	It has been connected with processes as different as contemplating distance, recognising known faces [34]
Inferior temporal gyrus	The outer side of each temporal lobe, below the middle temporal gyrus [35]	Associated with representing objects, places, faces and colours [35]
Cingulate gyrus	Lying immediately above the corpus callosum and curving around it [36]	Involved in forming and processing emotion, learning and memory [36]
Parahippocampal gyrus	On the inner underside of each temporal lobe that surrounds the hippocampus [37]	It plays an important role in encoding and retrieving memories [37]
Fusiform gyrus	On the underside (basal surface) of each temporal and occipital lobe [38]	Parts of it are critical for recognising faces and bodies [38]

Areas of the cortex (no shape of their own: each lights the gyrus that holds it)

Part	Where it is	What it does
Broca’s area	The back part of the inferior frontal gyrus [22]	Its functions are linked to speech production [22]
Wernicke’s area	The posterior (back) part of the superior temporal gyrus [39]	It plays a major role in understanding both spoken and written language [39]
Auditory cortex	On the upper side of each temporal lobe, in both hemispheres [33]	The transverse temporal gyri are the first parts of the cortex to process incoming sound [40]
Visual cortex	In the occipital lobe at the back of the brain [15]	Each side works on the opposite half of what you see [15]
Premotor cortex	In the frontal lobe, just in front of the primary motor cortex [41][42]	It may help plan movement, guide movement in space and by the senses [41]
Supplementary motor area	On the inner, midline face of each frontal lobe [43][41][42]	May take part in the direct control of movement [43]
Frontal eye fields	Where the back of the middle frontal gyrus meets the precentral gyrus [44][45]	It is responsible for voluntary eye movement and for saccades [44][46]
Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex	In humans it lies in the middle frontal gyrus [20]	Its main role is in the executive functions: working memory, cognitive flexibility, planning [20]
Ventromedial prefrontal cortex	The lower (ventral) and middle (medial) part of the prefrontal cortex [47]	Involved in processing risk and fear and is critical in regulating the amygdala’s activity [47]
Anterior cingulate cortex	Curves like a collar around the front of the corpus callosum [48]	Involved in higher-level functions such as allocating attention, anticipating reward, decision-making [48]
Posterior cingulate cortex	Behind the anterior cingulate cortex and above the corpus callosum [49]	Its best-known role is as a central node of the default mode network [49]
Opercula	Edges of cortex that fold over the insula [50][51]	The anterior insula and the frontal operculum together are the primary taste cortex [52]
Gustatory cortex	The anterior insula, on the insular lobe, and the frontal operculum [52]	Respond to sweetness, saltiness, bitterness and sourness, and code how intense the taste is [52]
Precuneus	Lies on the inner (medial) face of each hemisphere [53]	Its front part is linked to mental imagery about the self [53]
Cuneus	Wedge of cortex on the inner (medial) face of the occipital lobe [54][55]	It receives visual information from the upper quarter of the retina on the same side [54]
Lingual gyrus	On the inner underside of the occipital lobe [56]	It is part of the visual cortex involved in identifying and recognising words [56]
Temporal pole	The front tip of each temporal lobe [57]	Involved in high-level meaning (semantic representation) and in social and emotional processing [57]
Entorhinal cortex	The front (rostral) part of the parahippocampal gyrus, next to the hippocampus [58][59]	The main interface between the hippocampus and the neocortex [58]
Piriform cortex	At the front of the inner underside of each temporal lobe [60]	Its function is olfaction, the perception of smell [60]
Uncus	The hook-shaped front end of the parahippocampal gyrus [61]	Part of the olfactory cortex on the temporal lobe covers the uncus [61][62][60]

Grooves of the cerebrum (each lights the parts on either side)

Part	Where it is	What it does
Longitudinal fissure	The deep groove down the middle of the brain [63][64][7]	The longitudinal fissure divides it into its two hemispheres [65]
Central sulcus	The deep groove that crosses the side of each cerebral hemisphere [66][6]	It is a landmark rather than a working part [25]
Lateral sulcus	The deep groove on the side of each cerebral hemisphere [17][16]	It holds the transverse temporal gyri, which are part of the primary auditory cortex [17]
Parieto-occipital sulcus	A deep groove near the back of the brain [67][6]	It is a landmark rather than a working part [53][54]
Calcarine sulcus	A deep groove on the inner (medial) face of the occipital lobe [55][15]	The primary visual cortex (V1) is located in and around the calcarine fissure [15][55]
Cingulate sulcus	The groove on the inner (medial) face of each hemisphere [36][68][69]	It is a landmark rather than a working part, but cortex lines it [43]

Deep parts: white matter, basal ganglia and limbic system

Part	Where it is	What it does
White matter	Inside the cerebral cortex [70][71]	It carries signals between areas of grey matter [70][71]
Corpus callosum	At the bottom of the longitudinal fissure between the two hemispheres [64]	The major pathway for communication between the two hemispheres of the cerebral cortex [6]
Internal capsule	A band of white matter deep in each cerebral hemisphere [72]	It is a two-way tract: ascending and descending fibres pass through it [72]
Anterior commissure	Crosses the midline deep in the front of the brain [73]	It interconnects cortical regions of the two temporal lobes [73]
Fornix	C-shaped bundle of nerve fibres deep in the middle of the brain [74]	It is the main output pathway of the hippocampus [74]
Commissure of the fornix	On the midline under the back of the corpus callosum [74]	Its fibres connect the two hippocampi across the midline [74]
Septum (septum of telencephalon)	On the midline of the brain between the two cerebral hemispheres [75][76]	The septal nuclei here are essential in generating the theta rhythm of the hippocampus [75]
Stria terminalis	Along the line between the thalamus and the caudate nucleus [77]	It is a major output pathway of the amygdala [77]
Lamina terminalis	Forms the front wall of the third ventricle [78][79]	Its nerve cells can respond to what circulates in the blood [80]
Basal ganglia	A group of grey-matter nuclei deep inside each cerebral hemisphere [81][6]	Linked to the control of voluntary movement, procedural learning, habit formation, conditional learning, eye movements [81]
Caudate nucleus	Hugs the wall of the lateral ventricle [82]	Long associated with motor processes, it also plays roles in non-motor functions [82]
Putamen	Lying under the insula, outside the globus pallidus and the internal capsule [83][81]	A primary function is to regulate movements at various stages, such as preparation and execution [83]
Globus pallidus	A wedge of grey matter tucked just inside the putamen [84][81]	It is involved in regulating voluntary movement, as part of the basal ganglia [84]
Nucleus accumbens	In the basal forebrain at the bottom of the striatum [85][86]	A significant role in the cognitive processing of motivation, aversion, reward [86]
Claustrum	Between the insula on the outside and the putamen on the inside [87]	Connects with the cerebral cortex and with deeper parts including the amygdala, hippocampus and thalamus [87]
Nucleus basalis	A group of large acetylcholine-making neurons in the basal forebrain [88]	Most of its neurons make acetylcholine and project widely to the neocortex [88][89]
Limbic system	A set of structures on the inner edge of each cerebral hemisphere [90][6]	It is involved in emotion, behaviour, motivation, long-term memory and the sense of smell [90]
Hippocampus	Deep inside the inner (medial) part of each temporal lobe [91]	Consolidates information from short-term memory into long-term memory [91]
Hippocampal fields	Inside the hippocampus, deep in each temporal lobe [92][91]	They are the stations of the trisynaptic circuit [92][91]
Dentate gyrus	One of the subfields of the hippocampus [93]	Thought to contribute to forming new episodic memories [93]
Amygdala	Deep in the inner (medial) part of each temporal lobe [94]	Has a primary role in processing memory, decision-making and emotional responses [94]
Olfactory bulb	On the bottom (orbital) surface of each frontal lobe [95][62]	It is involved in olfaction, the sense of smell [95]

The diencephalon: thalamus, hypothalamus and their neighbours

Part	Where it is	What it does
Diencephalon	Central part of the forebrain, between the cerebral hemispheres and the midbrain [96][6]	Almost every sensory signal heading for the cerebral cortex passes through a thalamic relay first [6][97]
Thalamus	In the middle of the brain: two egg-shaped masses of grey matter [97]	Relays sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex [97]
Anterior nucleus of thalamus	At the front (rostral) end of the thalamus, one on each side [98][97]	It sends fibres to the cingulate gyrus, other limbic cortex and the orbitofrontal cortex [98]
Mediodorsal nucleus	A large nucleus in the middle of the thalamus, near the midline [99][100][97]	Relays inputs from the amygdala and the olfactory cortex and projects to the prefrontal cortex [99]
Ventral posterior nucleus	Low in the outer part of the thalamus, towards its back [97][101][102]	Carrying the body’s touch, body position, pain and temperature [101][103]
Pulvinar	The back end of the thalamus, one on each side [104][105][106]	It is connected both ways with all visual cortical areas [106]
Lateral geniculate body	Small oval bump on the underside of the back of each thalamus [107]	Its main neurons receive the retina’s signals directly through the optic tract [107]
Medial geniculate body	Part of the auditory thalamus, one on each side [108][105]	The last relay below the cortex on the hearing path [108][109]
Hypothalamus	At the base of the brain, just below the thalamus [110][111]	Links the nervous system to the endocrine (hormone) system through the pituitary gland [110]
Suprachiasmatic nucleus	In the anterior part of the hypothalamus, directly above the optic chiasm [112]	It is the central circadian pacemaker: it sets the daily rhythm of sleep and wake [112][113]
Supraoptic nucleus	At the base of the hypothalamus, next to the optic chiasm [114][115]	Its neurons make the peptide hormones vasopressin and oxytocin [114][115]
Paraventricular nucleus	A nucleus in the hypothalamus that lies right beside the third ventricle [116][115]	Its large (magnocellular) neurons make oxytocin and vasopressin [116][115]
Arcuate nucleus	A cluster of neurons in the base of the hypothalamus [117][110]	Feeding, metabolism, fertility and the control of the heart and blood vessels [117]
Lateral hypothalamus	The outer zone of the hypothalamus, one on each side [118][110][119]	The roles most often named for orexin in this region are promoting feeding and arousal [118][119]
Mammillary bodies	A pair of small round bumps on the underside of the brain [120]	They act as a relay for signals coming from the hippocampi and amygdalae [120]
Pituitary gland	Hanging from the underside of the hypothalamus by a stalk [111][115]	With the hypothalamus it controls much of the body’s endocrine (hormone) system [111]
Pineal gland	Near the centre of the brain on the midline [121]	Its pinealocytes make and secrete the hormone melatonin, derived from serotonin [122]
Habenula	In the epithalamus at the top back of the thalamus [123]	Acts as a hub for combining emotional and sensory information [123]
Stria medullaris	A horizontal ridge on the inner (medial) surface of each thalamus [124]	It is the main input route of the habenula [124]
Posterior commissure	Crossing the midline at the back of the third ventricle [125][79]	It is important in the pupillary light reflex on both sides [125]
Subthalamic nucleus	Just below the thalamus, above the substantia nigra of the midbrain [126]	It is the excitatory part of the basal ganglia core [126]

Midbrain

The midbrain: the top of the brainstem

Part	Where it is	What it does
Midbrain	The top section of the brainstem [2][127]	Functionally associated with vision, hearing, motor control, sleep and wakefulness, arousal (alertness) and temperature regulation [2]
Superior colliculus	Small rounded bumps on the back (roof) of the midbrain [105]	Take input straight from the retina and respond almost only to what is seen [105]
Inferior colliculus	A pair of small rounded bumps on the back of the midbrain [109]	The major ascending hearing pathways converge here; it acts as an integrating station and switchboard [109]
Cerebral peduncles	The two thick stalks on the front of the midbrain [128]	They contain the large ascending (sensory) and descending (motor) tracts [128]
Substantia nigra	The largest nucleus in the midbrain, lying dorsal to the cerebral peduncles [129]	It plays an important role in reward and movement [129]
Red nucleus	In the midbrain tegmentum next to the substantia nigra [130]	It is involved in motor coordination [130]
Ventral tegmental area	Close to the midline on the floor of the midbrain [131][2]	Its neurons serve several functions in the reward system, motivation and cognition [131]
Periaqueductal grey	The grey matter that surrounds the cerebral aqueduct [132]	It is the primary control centre for descending pain modulation [132]

Hindbrain

The hindbrain: pons, medulla and cerebellum

Part	Where it is	What it does
Hindbrain	The lowest and rearmost of the brain’s three main divisions [3][5]	Together its parts support vital bodily processes [3][6]
Brainstem	The stalk at the base of the brain [127][6]	All information passing between the body and the cerebrum and cerebellum goes through it [127]
Pons	The rounded bulge below the midbrain and above the medulla oblongata [133][127]	Relays signals from the forebrain to the cerebellum [133][6]
Locus coeruleus	A small nucleus in the pons of the brainstem [134]	Functions it influences include arousal and the sleep-wake cycle, attention and memory [134]
Medulla oblongata	The lowest part of the brainstem: it sits below the pons [135][127]	Responsible for autonomic (involuntary) functions [135]
Inferior olive	A folded band of grey matter inside the medulla oblongata [136][137]	Its neurons are the main source of climbing fibres [136][138]
Area postrema	A pair of small swellings in the medulla oblongata [139][140]	It is one of the three sensory circumventricular organs [140]
Raphe nuclei	A chain of cell groups along the midline of the brainstem [141][142]	They are the main source of serotonin in the brain [142][141]
Reticular formation	A net-like set of interconnected nuclei in the core of the brainstem [143]	Acts like an on/off switch for the cortex, keeping it awake and alert [143]
Cerebellum	At the back of the head, at the bottom of the brain [144]	It contributes to coordination, precision and accurate timing [144]
Cerebellar lobes	Three lobes: the anterior lobe, in front of the primary fissure [145][146][147]	Posterior lobe: important in fine motor coordination [146]
Cerebellar vermis	The narrow, unpaired strip of tissue along the midline of the cerebellum [148][144]	It is associated with bodily posture and locomotion [148]
Cerebellar peduncles	Join the cerebellum to the back of the brainstem [149][145]	Input far outweighs output: the middle peduncle is almost all incoming fibres [150][151][152]
Dentate nucleus	The largest of the deep cerebellar nuclei [153]	It is responsible for the planning, initiation and control of voluntary movements [153]

Cranial nerves

Cranial nerves and the visual path, in order

Part	Where it is	What it does
Optic nerve	The cable from the back of each eye to the brain [154]	It carries the visual signals from the retina to the brain [154][155]
Optic chiasm	A small X-shaped crossing on the underside of the brain [156]	The right side of the brain receives the left half of the visual field [156][155]
Optic tract	Around the side of the midbrain, to the lateral geniculate body [157]	The left tract carries the right half of the visual field from both eyes [157][155]
Oculomotor nerve	Leaves the front of the midbrain [158][159]	Supplies the superior rectus, which turns the eye up, and the levator palpebrae superioris [158][160]
Trochlear nerve	Leaves the back of the midbrain just below the inferior colliculi [161]	It is a motor nerve for one muscle only, the superior oblique [161][162][163]
Trigeminal nerve	Leaves the side of the pons at mid-pons level [164][127][165]	It carries touch, pain and temperature from the face [164][159]
Abducens nerve	At the junction of the pons and the medulla oblongata [166]	It works a single muscle on each side, the lateral rectus [166][159]
Facial nerve	At the border of the pons and the medulla oblongata [167][127]	It works the muscles of facial expression through its five branches [167][159]
Vestibulocochlear nerve	At the border of the pons and the medulla oblongata [168][127]	Hearing: the cochlear nerve carries the signals of the inner hair cells [168][159]
Glossopharyngeal nerve	Leaves the side of the upper medulla oblongata [169]	Taste from the back third of the tongue [169][159]
Vagus nerve	Leaves the side of the medulla oblongata as a row of rootlets [170]	Helps set the heart rate, breathing and the movements of the gut (peristalsis) [170][159]
Accessory nerve	Rises beside the cord through the foramen magnum [171]	It works two muscles on each side [171][159]
Hypoglossal nerve	Leaves the front of the medulla oblongata [172]	It works the tongue’s own (intrinsic) muscles [172][159]

Arteries

Arteries: the blood supply (lit on the Blood supply layer)

Part	Where it is	What it does
Circle of Willis	A ring of arteries on the underside of the brain [173][174]	The links make the supply redundant [173][174]
Internal carotid artery	It begins in the neck where the common carotid artery divides [175]	It supplies the brain, including the eyes [175]
Vertebral artery	Climb the neck through holes in the neck vertebrae [176]	Supply the upper spinal cord, the brainstem, the cerebellum and the back of the brain [176]
Basilar artery	A single artery in the midline on the front of the brainstem [177]	The basilar is the main blood supply to the brainstem [176]
Anterior cerebral artery	Runs up into the cleft between the hemispheres [178]	Supplies most midline (inner) portions of the frontal lobes and the upper inner parietal lobes [178]
Middle cerebral artery	Runs sideways into the lateral (Sylvian) sulcus, crosses the insula [179]	Overall it supplies the bulk of the lateral (outer) surface of the hemisphere [179]
Posterior cerebral artery	End branches of the basilar artery, at the top of the brainstem [180]	It supplies the occipital lobe [180]
Anterior communicating artery	Across the start of the deep groove between the hemispheres [181][173]	It joins the left and right anterior cerebral arteries [181]
Posterior communicating artery	One on each side of the circle of Willis [182]	It connects the internal carotid supply with the posterior cerebral artery’s [182]
Cerebellar arteries	Three cerebellar arteries on each side [183][184][185]	The superior supplies the upper and deep parts of the cerebellum [183][184][185]

Ventricles

Ventricles: the fluid spaces

Part	Where it is	What it does
Ventricles of the brain	Four connected, fluid-filled cavities deep inside the brain [186][174]	They are filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), made by the choroid plexus [187][188]
Lateral ventricles	One C-shaped, fluid-filled cavity inside each cerebral hemisphere [189][186]	They hold cerebrospinal fluid and make most of it [188][187]
Interventricular foramina	Two short channels near the midline, deep in the brain [190]	They let the cerebrospinal fluid made in the lateral ventricles reach the third ventricle [190]
Third ventricle	On the midline of the brain, between the left and right thalamus [79][174]	It passes cerebrospinal fluid from the lateral ventricles on to the cerebral aqueduct [79][174]
Cerebral aqueduct	Running down through the back part of the midbrain on the midline [191]	The channel through which cerebrospinal fluid moves from the third ventricle down to the fourth [191]
Fourth ventricle	A tent-shaped, fluid-filled space in the hindbrain [192][174]	The link between the ventricular system, where cerebrospinal fluid is made, and the subarachnoid space [192][187]
Choroid plexus	Hangs into the fluid-filled ventricles deep inside the brain [187][188]	Its cells make most of the cerebrospinal fluid, about two-thirds to 80% of it [188]

Around the brain

Around the brain: spinal cord, coverings and eyes

Part	Where it is	What it does
Spinal cord	Starts where the medulla oblongata, the bottom of the brainstem, ends [193][135]	It carries signals both ways between the brain and the body [193][6]
Tentorium cerebelli	Stretched between the cerebellum below and the occipital lobes above [194][195]	It splits the skull cavity into a part above it, which holds the cerebrum [194]
Eyeball	Sits in the front of its eye socket (orbit) [196][197][198]	An inner layer, the retina, which holds the light-sensing cells [199]
Extraocular muscles	The six muscles that turn each eye, all inside the eye socket [160][199]	Medial rectus: turns the eye in toward the nose. Lateral rectus: turns it out [160]

Source: brainlocation.com/parts/ — every line quotes the cited first sentences of that part’s own page (185 Wikipedia articles, OpenStax Anatomy & Physiology 2e, Dziedzic, BodyParts3D, Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021 (open access): Neuroplasticity and Multilevel System of Connections Determine the Integrative Role of Nucleus Accumbens in the Brain Reward System, Pergola et al. 2018, Casanova & Chalupa 2023, OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e); 3D model BodyParts3D, © DBCLS, CC BY-SA 2.1 Japan. For learning, not medical advice.

Sources

Facts describe anatomy and normal function only. The 3D model is the adult male BodyParts3D brain (credits and licence); real brains vary in size and shape.