Also called: cerebrum and brainstem
The brain is the control centre of the nervous system, protected by the skull and meninges. It has a cerebrum that handles thought, language and voluntary movement, a cerebellum for coordination and a brainstem that regulates breathing and heart rate. Cerebrospinal fluid cushions it, and the carotid and vertebral arteries supply it.
| Location | Cranial cavity, surrounded by the meninges and cerebrospinal fluid. |
|---|---|
| Structure | Cerebrum (two hemispheres with frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital lobes), diencephalon, brainstem (midbrain, pons, medulla) and cerebellum; ventricles containing cerebrospinal fluid. |
| Function | Integrates sensation, controls movement, supports cognition and emotion, and regulates vital functions. |
| Blood supply | Internal carotid arteries (anterior circulation) and vertebral arteries forming the basilar artery (posterior circulation), joined by the circle of Willis. |
| Innervation | Twelve pairs of cranial nerves arise from the brain and brainstem. |
3D model: BodyParts3D (CC BY 4.0), adult male reference anatomy. Highlighted structure shown with nearby bones for context.
The atlas model includes many separately modelled brain parts such as the thalamus, hippocampus and ventricles, all grouped here under the brain concept.
The cerebrum, diencephalon, brainstem and cerebellum.
An arterial ring at the base of the brain that connects the carotid and vertebrobasilar circulations.
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