“I Am Your Brain”

Written & Presented by Patrice TurnerSeptember 5, 2014

Ever wonder about behaviors or situations that you cannot explain…well I have the explanation…I am your brain.I am an organ that you cannot see, and am responsible for your destiny. So, listen my children and you will hear about the midnight ride of Paul Revere…just kidding guys, all joking aside, let me take you on a magical ride.

Let’s start with the basics of how I came to be…let’s learn about brain anatomy. I started my existence prenatally, long before you knew you were you, and before you came to wonder about me. I am very complex, so I will try, to make this simple and easy as pie.

I have four basic parts each with a different task…So what are they one might ask…the Brain Stem, Cerebellum, Limbic System and Cerebral Cortex, all of which make up my beautiful context.

First let’s begin with the brain stem located at the base of the brain where involuntary reflexes live and reign. I am formed first; I’m the primitive part, needed for basic survival like the beating of your heart. Breathing, blinking, and elimination, I also play a part in alertness and sensation. So when you think of me, think reflexes and automatic function.

(The brain stem sits beneath the cerebrum and in front of the cerebellum)

Now, let us move on to the next junction…

Next there is the cerebellum, kind of rhymes with antebellum. I too am located at the base of the brain, just above my friend “stem” and I am quite a gem. I control muscle coordination, posture and movement, as well as how well a baby can balance as it goes from crawling to walking. So here’s a little a cue to help remember my name, I’m also known as the “little brain”.

On to part three, the limbic system, where I process all emotions to form memories.

Consisting of two parts: the hippocampus and amygdala. Working hand in hand to process and store, events and experiences galore. The amygdala registers emotions, while the hippocampus always in motion, codes mostly unconscious memories, and readily stores all that happens to you and me.

Like fingerprints in the sand of time, I will always be. Hence, you can contribute that capability to me.

The cerebral cortex, number four, with two hemispheres each contains four lobes. Last but not least to be formed, I process most thinking, sensing, and reasoning. Decision-making and conscious action is also part of my seasoning. The left and right brain, the identical twins, have varying functions and processes. Connected by the corpus callosum, that is just awesome. Each hemisphere or twin each has four parts, known as the frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital.

Frontal controls reasoning, and executive function, as well as the Broca’s to produce language. It is the last to develop like a tortoise in a race, and is located in the forefront or forehead of your face.

Above the ears I can be found, I am the Temporal Lobe where the Wernicke’s area too is bound. Hearing and receptive language are my forte. Be careful not to damage me less I can’t hear what you say.

Touch, smell, and taste are my game. Parietal Lobe is my name. Movement and orientation are part of me as well, controlled by the motor cortex, a band housed within this cell.

The crown of the head is where I am found; let’s keep going to finish this round.

At the back of the head is where you will “see”, Occipital taking care of vision for me. Distinguishing shapes, objects and colors, I am grateful for the help of this brother.

This is but a simple rhyme and strategy, to help understand brain anatomy. So there you have it, an elementary start to identifying my four basic parts.

The End

RESOURCES

Better Brains for Babies: Trainer’s Guide

Edition Two (Chapter I)

Clipart courtesy of Google Images: Retrieved Sept. 4, 2014