Introduction

According to theories, the human brain developed over millions of years from the brains of non-human species, and this process of evolution is still going on. While the cerebral cortex is the most recent evolution, the brain stem, limbic system, and cerebellum are the oldest brain structures.

The cerebellum, brainstem, and cerebrum comprise the brain. The central region of the brain, the cerebrum, is split into the left and right hemispheres. The cerebral cortex and several structures beneath it, also known as subcortical structures, constitute each hemisphere of the cerebrum.

The cerebrum is divided into lobes, each having distinct surface characteristics and functions. Four lobes have also been identified in the cerebral cortex: the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes.

Frontal Lobe

The frontal lobe, which constitutes one-third of the brain hemisphere, is the largest brain lobe. Each cerebral hemisphere contains a frontal lobe situated in front of it. In addition to being above and in front of the temporal lobe, the frontal lobe is located in front of the parietal lobe. The lateral sulcus separates the frontal lobe from the temporal lobe, while the central sulcus separates it from the parietal lobe.

The lateral, medial, and inferior cortical surfaces constitute the frontal lobe. The prefrontal cortex, motor cortex, and Broca’s region comprise the three functional divisions of the complete frontal cortex of the frontal lobe.

The frontal lobes control executive functions. Inhibitory influences on autonomic and emotional responses are also exerted by the frontal lobe, which is primarily responsible for cognitive processes like thinking, attention, learning, memory, and reasoning.

Parietal Lobe

The parietal lobe is located behind the frontal lobe and central sulcus, above the occipital lobe.

The primary objective of the parietal lobe is on cutaneous sensations and how they relate to visual and auditory perception. The parietal lobe incorporates sensory details among various modes, which include navigation and spatial sense (proprioception), the primary sensory receptive region for the sense of touch (mechanoreception), language processing, and the dorsal stream of the visual framework.

Temporal Lobe

The temporal lobe is located directly below the temples on the underside of the cerebrum, underneath the parietal and occipital lobes. The middle cranial fossa is mainly occupied by the temporal lobe, which gets its name from being close to the temporal portion of the skull.

Processing auditory information is the primary function of the temporal lobe. This is where the memory for symbolic words and sounds is stored. This lobe is necessary for understanding both spoken and written language. It is essential for processing auditory information, which includes giving meaning to auditory signals and language comprehension.

Our ability to control our emotions and recognise faces are other temporal lobe functions. The hippocampus, a portion of the temporal lobe, is essential to memory.

Occipital Lobe

Most of the anatomical portion of the visual cortex is located in the occipital lobe, the visual processing hub of the mammalian brain.

The occipital lobe is located immediately below the occipital bone. It is located behind the temporal and parietal lobes and constitutes the most posterior part of the brain. The primary visual cortex, often referred to as V1 (visual one), collects visual data from the eyes. Various secondary visual processing regions receive this information to evaluate the depth, distance, position, and object identity.

The occipital lobe mainly processes information about vision. This lobe is responsible for interpreting memory for visual stimuli, visual signals, and colour visual orientation.

Insular and Limbic Lobes

The limbic lobe, made up of portions of the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes, is an arc-shaped portion of the cortex on the medial region of each cerebral hemisphere of the human brain.

A section of the cerebral cortex called the insular cortex is folded deeply within the lateral sulcus (the fissure that separates the frontal and parietal lobes from the temporal lobe). The amygdala receives axons from the insular cortex, which also responds to sounds and somatosensory stimuli.

Related Links:

Main Page:BYJU’S NEET

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Which lobe of the brain is responsible for memory?

Temporal lobe. The hippocampus, a part of the brain essential for memory, learning, and emotions, is located in the medial temporal lobe (closer to the centre of the brain).

What part of the brain controls sleep?

Groups of nerve cells in the hypothalamus, a peanut-sized region deep inside the brain, serve as regulatory centres for sleep and arousal.

What is the function of the Insular lobe?

The insular lobe, the fifth lobe of the brain, is located deep inside the lateral sulcus (Sylvian fissure). Taste perception, visceral sensation, pain perception, and vestibular function are the types of information that the insula is linked to processing and integrating.

Table of Contents