Barupa's Brain Map

A brain is a good logo for me, because mine is restless, always looking for something new to pursue. The most excellent drawing of the brain was done freehand, or rather, "mousehand" by my wonderful and talented daughter Dawn, alias Daryn. (Sorry, no residuals.)

The brain is a marvelous creation. Click on the imagemap below to see the parts of your brain and what they do. Or read all about it below the picture.

THE BRAIN STEM
This part of the brain is often referred to as the "reptilian brain" and controls basic body functions such as breathing and heartbeat. This part of the brain doesn't think or feel.
THE CEREBELLUM
The part of the brain that controls movement and "muscle memory". As certain muscles are used, this part of the brain becomes trained to improve the functioning of the muscles; athletes and dancers have well-developed cerebellums.
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THE CEREBRUM
This is the thinking part of the brain and uses a system called "multiple mapping," where each thought or memory functions in several different areas of the brain. The cerebrum has four main areas called "lobes":

FRONTAL LOBE - area of abstract problem solving PARIETAL LOBE - processes information from the senses

TEMPORAL LOBE - controls memory, hearing and language OCCIPITAL LOBE - controls most of our vision

The CORPUS CALLOSUM is a set of nerve fibers that relays information between the left side of the cerebrum (involved in language, time and sequence, and analytical thoughts and memories) and the right side of the brain (involved in music, spatial organization, visualizing images and faces, the creative and imaginative thoughts and memories).
As we grow and develop, our brain becomes more specialized and the corpus callosum thins. This thinning process stops at puberty. Since females generally reach puberty at an earlier age, their corpus callosum are thicker than males, accounting for their ability to coordinate logic and emotion--their "feminine intuition"--and for men's ability to "compartmentalize" and solve problems.

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THE LIMBIC SYSTEM
The Limbic System is the "feeling" part of the brain. Most of the "action" in the brain takes place here because it is the area of mind/body connection.

The HIPPPOCAMPUS is the short-term memory center. The THALAMUS is the relay center for all senses except smell.

The AMYGDALA is the seat of emotion. It determines how "important" a situation is and how to react to it emotionally. The HYPOTHALAMUS relays important messages to control the rest of the body, such as body temperature, hunger and thirst.

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Information taken from the book "Brain Longevity" by D. S. Khalsa, M.D., Warner Books, 1997.

FRONTAL LOBE - area of abstract problem solving	PARIETAL LOBE - processes information from the senses
TEMPORAL LOBE - controls memory, hearing and language	OCCIPITAL LOBE - controls most of our vision
The CORPUS CALLOSUM is a set of nerve fibers that relays information between the left side of the cerebrum (involved in language, time and sequence, and analytical thoughts and memories) and the right side of the brain (involved in music, spatial organization, visualizing images and faces, the creative and imaginative thoughts and memories). As we grow and develop, our brain becomes more specialized and the corpus callosum thins. This thinning process stops at puberty. Since females generally reach puberty at an earlier age, their corpus callosum are thicker than males, accounting for their ability to coordinate logic and emotion--their "feminine intuition"--and for men's ability to "compartmentalize" and solve problems.

The HIPPPOCAMPUS is the short-term memory center.	The THALAMUS is the relay center for all senses except smell.
The AMYGDALA is the seat of emotion. It determines how "important" a situation is and how to react to it emotionally.	The HYPOTHALAMUS relays important messages to control the rest of the body, such as body temperature, hunger and thirst.