The brain is the main portion of the central nervous system,
it is enclosed in the skull and is continuous with the spinal
cord. The adult human brain weighs approximately three
pounds, is the size of a grapefruit, shaped like a walnut and
has the consistency of jell-o.
The brain is indeed the control center of the body. It controls
our physical, mental and emotional functions. Although
well protected, it can be injured by an accident like a fall,
or it can be injured through a stroke, aneurism, tumor or
cancer. Even heart attacks can injure the brain by keeping
the flow of oxygen enriched blood from flowing to it.
Many models exist to describe the brain. Some people
describe it as a super computer responsible for receiving
and classifying information, then computing an outcome.
others see it as a large symphony orchestra with each
section playing in concert with the others. Another way to
look at the brain is as an automobile engine: a collection
of systems that must work together to operate properly. A
damaged brain is like a damaged engine, it may work, but
not efficiently, or it may not work at all.
The brain has six main parts: the brain stem, the cerebellum,
the occipital lobe, the parietal lobe, the temporal lobe and
the frontal lobe. Each part of the brain controls specific
functions and works with the other parts of the brain in
order to perform even the simplest functions.
The Brain Stem is in the center of the brain and is connected
directly to the spinal cord. It controls all of the body’s
essential functions, receives and distributes all sensory
input. It controls our:
• Breathing
• Heart rate
• Blood pressure
• Body temperature
• Sleep/wake functions
• Our concentration
The Cerebellum sits behind the brain stem and is at the back
and bottom of the brain. It controls:
• Balance
• Coordination
• Skilled motor activity
• Physical speech
The Occipital lobe is responsible for sight and is connected
to the eyes through the optic nerve.
The Parietal lobe sits on the top back of our head and helps
to interpret our world. It controls:
• Sense of touch
• Distinguishing size, shape and color
• Spatial perception – relationships between objects
• Visual perception – identifying people and objects
The Temporal lobe sits in the lower front and side part of
the brain (think temples) and it is responsible for:
• Memory
• Emotions – especially fear
• Hearing – understanding speech
• Organization and sequencing
The Frontal lobe sits just behind our forehead and is
responsible for the following functions:
• Initiation
• Problem solving
• Judgment
• Inhibition of behavior
• Planning/anticipation
• Self-monitoring
• Personality/emotions
• Awareness of abilities/limitations
• Organization
• Speaking or expressive language
How the brain is injured
Although well protected by the skull, surrounding tissue
and cerebral spinal fluid, the brain can be injured in a severe
accident. The most common ways the brain is injured are:
bleeding, bruising and swelling; twisting or shearing and
loss of oxygen.
Bleeding, bruising and
swelling occur when the head
strikes, or is struck by, a hard
object. A Closed Head Injury
occurs when the skull is not
broken; the brain, however,
is not only bruised and starts
to bleed at the site of impact;
it also slams into the opposite
side of the brain and is bruised
and bleeds there, too.
2020-2022 BIAK Resource Journal 7
T
The Brain:
How it Works and How it is injured