The brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system. Forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain are the three areas of the brain, constituting different parts of the brain. Forebrain comprises cerebrum, thalamus and hypothalamus. Midbrain is located between the thalamus of the forebrain and pons of the hindbrain. Hindbrain comprises pons, cerebellum and medulla.
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Difference between Forebrain, Midbrain and Hindbrain
The table below shows the main Differences between Forebrain Midbrain and Hindbrain.
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Forebrain |
Midbrain |
Hindbrain |
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It is the major portion of the brain accounting for 2/3rd part |
It connects forebrain to hindbrain |
It constitutes the brain stem and connects the brain to the spinal cord |
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It develops from the prosencephalon of the embryonic neural tube |
It develops from the mesencephalon of the embryonic neural tube |
It develops from the rhombencephalon of the embryonic neural tube |
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Prosencephalon divides into two sub regions called diencephalon and telencephalon |
It comprises mesencephalon |
Rhombencephalon divides into two subregions called the metencephalon and myelencephalon |
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The parts of the forebrain are cerebrum, thalamus and hypothalamus |
The parts of the midbrain are the tectum, the cerebral aqueduct, tegmentum, and the cerebral peduncles |
The parts of hindbrain are medulla, pons, and cerebellum |
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It is the anterior part of the brain |
It is present between the forebrain and midbrain |
It is the lower back part of the brain |
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It is not a part of the brain stem |
It is a part of the brain stem |
It is a part of the brain stem |
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Optic and olfactory cranial nerves are present in the forebrain |
Oculomotor and trochlear cranial nerves are present in the midbrain |
Trigeminal, abducens, facial, vestibulocochlear, glossopharyngeal, vagus, accessory and hypoglossal nerves are present in the hindbrain |
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It controls body temperature, urge for eating and drinking, memory, display of emotions and regulation of sexual behaviour |
It processes auditory and visual information. It plays a role in movement, alertness, sleep-wakefulness |
It regulates autonomic functions (controls respiration, cardiovascular reflexes and gastric secretions), maintains balance and equilibrium, coordination of movement, and the relay of sensory information |
Forebrain
The forebrain is the largest part of the brain. It is divided into three main parts, that are the cerebrum, thalamus and hypothalamus.
- Cerebrum – It consists of left and right cerebral hemispheres. The corpus callosum connects the left and right hemispheres. The cerebral cortex forms the outer covering of the two hemispheres, and is known as the grey matter. Each hemisphere is divided into four lobes, viz. the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe, and occipital lobe. The cerebral cortex contains sensory, motor and association areas that are involved in memory, communication and intersensory association.
- Thalamus – It is present between the cerebral cortex and midbrain. It coordinates sensory and motor signalling.
- Hypothalamus – It lies at the base of the thalamus. It secretes hypothalamic hormones and controls the functions of the pituitary gland. It also controls body temperature, hunger and thirst.
Amygdala, hippocampus and other associated structures present deep in the cerebral hemispheres form the limbic system. The limbic system and hypothalamus are involved in the regulation of sexual behaviour, expression of various emotions, motivation, etc.
Midbrain
It connects the forebrain and hindbrain. It is located between the thalamus and pons. It forms the brain stem along with the hindbrain. The main parts of the midbrain are the tectum, the cerebral aqueduct, the tegmentum, and the cerebral peduncles. The dorsal part of the midbrain has four round lobes that are called the corpora quadrigemina. The cerebral aqueduct is the canal that passes through the midbrain. The midbrain consists of the centre for visual and auditory reflexes. It also helps in maintaining posture and muscle tone.
Hindbrain
The hindbrain consists of three main parts. They are the pons, cerebellum and medulla. The cerebellum and pons develop from the metencephalon and the medulla develops from the myelencephalon.
- Pons – It contains thick nerve fibre tracts that connect various parts of the brain. It connects the medulla and cerebellum to other parts of the brain. It contains a respiratory regulation centre and helps in relaying information between the cerebrum and cerebellum.
- Cerebellum – It is responsible for maintaining balance and equilibrium. It is involved in the precision and coordination of muscular activities. It plays an important role in motor control and stores memories for motor skills such as swimming, skating, etc.
- Medulla – The medulla is connected to the spinal cord. The medulla contains centres for the regulation of respiration, heartbeats, and blood pressure. It also regulates activities such as swallowing, coughing, and vomiting, etc.
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