The Human Brain
This book describes the anatomy and function of the human brain. The general focus of the book will be the organization of the brain (i.e., ventricles, the cerebral hemispheres-cerebrum, the diencephalon, the brain stem, and the cerebellum), functional systems of the brain, the cranial nerves, what protects the brain, and various brain injuries and diseases. The human brain serves as the center of our emotions, thoughts, everyday bodily functions, and learning abilities. All of this information is important in order to understand the delicate and unique role the human brain has in the human body.
This book is ideal for senior high school and undergraduate level students studying or interested in anatomy, and biology. These students will be able to understand and learn the detailed structure and function of the human brain.
An Introduction to The Human Brain
The human brain makes up the central nervous system (CNS) along with the spinal cord. It performs the most multifaceted neural functions (i.e. intelligence, consciousness, and instincts). Along with the cranial nerves, the brain is also involved in motor and sensory functions. It is a unique organ with the consistency of oatmeal and is approximately two handfuls of pinkish gray tissue. The average human brain in a man weighs about 3.5 pounds and 3.2 pounds in a woman. However, in terms of brain weight to body weight, male and females have equal brain weight. Therefore, brain size increases with body size, but the size of the brain does not determine brain power. Albert Einstein was known as a scientific genius and his brain size was only average. How the brain is wired and the complexity of its gray/white matter is what matters the most.
It is important to understand how the brain works because it is the organ that handles our physical movements such as walking, talking, and when we stand or sit. Our brain performs an incredible number of tasks; some tasks that we do voluntarily and others that we don t have to think about. It controls our body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing. It receives so much information based upon those unique five senses: seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, and smelling. Imagine walking into a bakery and smelling fresh baked cookies and cakes. Your mouth begins to water and suddenly you want that delicious chocolate chip cookie. This sensory response to the smell of the cookies and the mouth-watering is all because of the brain.
The brain is a remarkable organ that gives us the power to speak, imagine, and solve problems. Just imagine how the human body would function without this unique organ. It is pretty simple to see that the human body would not and could not function without it! We are able to dream, reason, and experience every emotion all because of the brain.
It is important to understand that because this is such a delicate organ, it has to be protected because there are things or events that can cause it harm. Some people suffer from brain diseases such as Alzheimer s or Multiple Sclerosis. Many people suffer from strokes and brain aneurysms because of blockage in the brain.
No matter how the brain is viewed - whether as the computer of the body, or an evolved biological organ - it is definitely one of the most amazing organs and is the foundation of each person s unique behavior.