Monday, January 3, 2011

The forebrain

The cerebrum:


The cerebrum of the brain is made up of two cerebral hemispheres.These hemispheres are the largest parts in the mammalian brain.They are concerned with intelligence,memory,learning and overall control of all voluntary actions (actions produced by conscious choice of an organism).In humans they are also concerned with emotions.Intelligence and the ability to learn depend on the surface area and the degree of development of these hemispheres.In the higher vertebrates,especially in humans,the cerebral hemispheres are very well developed and greatly enlarged.The surface area of the brain of humans is further enlarged by the presence of many deep fissures or grooves in the cerebral hemispheres.

(The larger the cerebral hemispheres are,the larger their surfaces,so they can hold more nerve cells--resulting in a more intelligent animal.In higher vertebrates,especially in humans only the cerebral hemispheres are visible when the brain is viewed from above.
A similar brain development,with the brain surface enlarged by grooves and fissures,is seen in other large and intelligent mammals such as dolphins.)

The Hypothalamus and the Pituitary Gland:

                                                     
The floor of the cerebral hemispheres is called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is an important region concerned with the regulation of body temperature and blood osmotic pressure, appetite, sleep and emotions.  The hypothalamus is the site of emotions and the effect emotions can have on the body. Love for example is nothing more than a temporary disorder of the hypothalamus and is easily curable. It also controls the pituitary gland.

                                                                 

The pituitary gland (small bean-shaped, reddish-gray organ) is attached to the hypothalamus that sends signals to other glands and organs, like the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, ovaries and testes. It directs them to produce certain hormones.It produces many important hormones including the anti-drastic hormone (ADH).
 




The red bean-shaped organ is the pituitary gland and the rest is the hypothalamus.

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