How is the human brain structured? How does the human brain work?
The human brain is part of the central nervous system and has a complex structure. The brain, which weighs about 1.4 kg in adults, is composed of blood vessels, neurons and auxiliary nerve cells. From the earliest stages of life to adulthood, brain weight and structure change and develop continuously. Genetic and environmental factors can directly or indirectly influence brain development.
How is the Human Brain Structured?
The brain is not a muscular organ but a complex structure made up of a large number of nörons and nöroglia. Nörons (nerve cells) are connected to each other by synapses, allowing chemical and electrical messages to be sent to other parts of the brain or body. Nöroglia are important support structures for nörons and provide nourishment to the nerve cells. In addition, they facilitate signal transmission by forming myelin. In this way, it is an effective element in maintaining homeostasis (balance in the body).
Glia, the support cells, are more numerous than nucleons. The nörons, which make up the brain, are distributed throughout the body via the spinal cord, generate responses in the relevant regions and are responsible for bringing information back to the brain. The brain receives the incoming information, processes and uses it, interprets it and creates a response. In this way, the main functions of the brain are carried out, such as the formation of emotions and feelings, cognitive activities such as learning and memory, the functioning of tissues and organs, hormone production, voluntary muscle movements such as walking and speaking, and involuntary muscle movements.
The brain consists of right and left hemispheres and has 4 different lobes. However, considering its general structure, the brain consists of 3 parts: the cerebellum, the cerebellum and the brain stem. All parts of the brain are interconnected organized structures. The spinal cord forms the central nervous system and connects with the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system comprises the network of nerves distributed throughout the body outside the brain and spinal cord. The nerve networks that circulate between the peripheral and central nervous system carry messages in döngüs (1, 2, 3, 4).
What are the Bölüs of the Human Brain?
The brain is responsible for receiving messages from the receptors in the sensory organs and sending them to the muscles and various glands. More than one part of the brain can function for the realization of this process. Although the human brain has a complex structure, it can be broadly divided into the following main parts:
Brain Stem
The brain stem, located at the base of the brain, is the structure that connects the other parts of the brain to the spinal cord. The brain stem consists of the main parts: the midbrain, the pons and the medulla. The midbrain controls the movements of the pupil, the eye ball and lens, and the reflexes of the head and body. The pons is the part between the midbrain and the medulla that performs the cöprü görevision. It is mainly responsible for the sensation and movement of the face, needling, tasting and taste, tear production, some eye movements such as blinking and vision, hearing and coordinating balance. The medulla, located at the bottom of the brain stem, is the main hub of nerve connections to and from the brain. It is also responsible for functions such as blood flow, breathing, regulating heart rhythm, tücürük secretion and sense of taste, shoulder and head movements, balance. It also regulates reflexes such as vomiting, swallowing, swallowing, sneezing and so on.
Cerebellum
The cerebellum is located in the lower back of the brain and is separated from the brain by the dural fold. It is mainly responsible for automatic movements such as adjusting muscle tone, positioning the limbs, maintaining one's posture, and maintaining balance. According to new research, the cerebellum may have the ability to store information about frequently performed actions and learned skills.
Brain
The brain, known as the cerebrum, is made up of gray matter (cerebral cortex, the shell) and white matter. Gray matter, which means shell, is the substance that covers the outer part of the brain. The cortex has indentations and protrusions called "gyri". The white matter under the cortex and in the inner part of the brain is connected to the cortex by connecting fibers. The cerebrum consists of two hemispheres, left and right. The right half cerebrum controls the left side of the body, while the left half cerebrum is responsible for the right side of the body. The brain is the part responsible for thinking, coordination, memory, learning, language and emotion, judgment and problem solving, vision, hearing, touch, hearing, etc.
The brain can be divided into 4 different lobes according to their functions: temporal, frontal, parietal, occipital lobe. However, deep within the brain structure are the structures of the hypothalamus, pituitary and pineal gland, amygdala and hippocampus.
How the Human Brain Works
Information is transmitted between the human brain and other parts of the body by nerve impulses passing through the spinal cord. All sensory organs, muscles, endocrine glands and other organs are connected by an extensive network of nerves. The nerve network outside the brain and spinal cord is called the "peripheral (peripheral) nervous system". When the receptors in a sensory organ are stimulated by any effect, they generate electrical and chemical impulses. Thanks to these electrical and chemical impulses, nerve cells transmit information to other nerve cells. These chemicals, which have important functions in nerve transmission, are nörotransmitters.
Nörotransmitter is released from the axon of a nerve cell (synapse gap) and is sensed by another nerve cell. The nörotransmitters captured by the receptors generate a signal in the new nerve cell. This action is repeated between the nörons in turn and the signal is quickly transmitted to the brain. The cerebral hemispheres are connected by a thick network of nerves called the corpus callosum. The signal transmitted to the brain reaches the relevant part of the brain by passing through these nerve networks. The right hemisphere is responsible for spatial information, the left hemisphere for language and speech. In addition, the thalamus processes sensory information, while the hypothalamus regulates vital events such as sleep, feelings of hunger and thirst, and the regulation of blood pressure. The pituitary gland works together with the hypothalamus to produce hormones in the body.
In the brain, the information processed in the relevant brain region is sent to the brain stem and spinal cord to be transmitted to the muscles or glands. The nerve impulses in muscles and glands that help translate the signal from the brain into action are called motor nerve impulses. In the formation of reflex movements, nerve impulses can generate a response without going to the brain. In this case, the spinal cord dampens reflex movements.
How to Maintain Brain Health
Maintaining brain health is influenced by lifestyle, physical activity, nutrition, and controlling stress and anxiety. Brain health is an important aspect that needs to be ensured from the early stages of life to old age. Negative effects on brain health can lead to various consequences such as problems in nerve conduction, hormone production disorders, functional disorders in muscles and glands, and disruptions in organ activities. In addition, changes that occur in the brain with the advancement of age may bring some diseases with the effect of external factors. In this context, there are a number of actions to protect brain health. The following actions can be taken to support brain health:
Vigorous physical activity may be effective in reducing the risk of depression, providing better quality sleep, increasing blood flow to the brain and organs, and improving mental function as well as physical function. In addition, regular exercise may be associated with a reduced risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
Sufficient and quality sleep can help the brain consolidate and store the information it receives throughout the day, provide rest for the body and reduce stress. Poor sleep can lead to memory lapses, mood problems and poor concentration.
Keeping blood pressure (blood pressure) within normal ranges is important for health. Increased blood pressure can cause damage to blood vessels, which can adversely affect brain health.
Maintaining an adequate and balanced diet is recommended to maintain ideal weight and health. In order to fulfill the functions of the brain and maintain its healthy structure, it is important to include whole grains, meat, poultry and fish, fresh vegetables and fruits, healthy fats and healthy fats in the diet.
In addition to these, you can protect your brain health by reducing unnecessary drug use, controlling stress and depression, and having regular follow-ups if you have diseases such as diabetes.
