Main Lobes and Functional Regions of the Cerebrum

The cerebrum is divided into four primary lobes, each responsible for distinct neurological functions:

Frontal Lobe

• Location: Anterior part of the cerebral cortex.

• Functions: Executive functions, motor control, speech production (Broca's area), emotional regulation, and problem-solving.

• Key Landmark – Precentral Gyrus: Located immediately anterior to the central sulcus, it contains the primary motor cortex, which controls voluntary movements.

Parietal Lobe

• Location: Posterior to the frontal lobe and superior to the occipital lobe.

• Functions: Sensory perception and integration, spatial reasoning, and body orientation.

• Key Landmark – Postcentral Gyrus: Located immediately posterior to the central sulcus, it contains the primary somatosensory cortex, which processes tactile and proprioceptive information.

Temporal Lobe

• Location: Inferior to the lateral sulcus.

• Functions: Auditory perception, memory formation, and language comprehension (Wernicke’s area).

Occipital Lobe

• Location: Posterior part of the cerebrum.

• Functions: Visual processing and interpretation.

Cerebellum

• Location: Posterior to the brainstem, beneath the occipital lobes.

• Functions: Fine-tunes voluntary motor activity, maintains posture and balance, and plays a role in motor learning. It contains a highly organized cortex and deep cerebellar nuclei.

Brainstem Components

Pons

• Location: Between the midbrain and medulla oblongata.

• Functions: Acts as a relay station between the cerebrum, cerebellum, and spinal cord. It is involved in motor control, sleep regulation, and several cranial nerve functions.

Medulla Oblongata

• Location: Inferior part of the brainstem, continuous with the spinal cord.

• Functions: Controls vital autonomic functions such as heart rate, respiration, and blood pressure. It also houses nuclei for several cranial nerves.