| Cerebral
Cortex |
Functions:
The wrinkled outer covering of the cerebrum and is nicknamed the
thinking cap. The cortex wraps over and around the rest of the brain.
At least 70% of the neurons in the human central nervous system are in
the cortex.
The cortex is involved with:
Planning for the future
Problem Solving
Learning from experience
Anticipating, reward and punishment
Much of our experience of ourselves and our environment is gained through
the cortex |
Impairments caused by head injury:
Severe damage to the cortex can reduce a human to a vegetable-like
state. Mild to moderate damage can produces corresponding defects
in functions it regulates such as:
Speech
Sight
Senses
The four lobes of the brain: frontal, temporal, parietal and occipital
mark the boundaries of each region of the cortex. Click
here for additional information |
| Cerebellum |
Functions:
is attached to the brain stem at the base of the skull the cerebellum
or little brain processes input from muscles, joints and tendons. It controls
posture, equilibrium and coordinates skilled muscular movement and balance.
It is more like a brake than a motor, it regulates fine motor coordination
and prevents limbs from flailing about out of control.
It is involved in:
Coordination of voluntary movement
Balance and equilibrium
Some memory for reflex motor movements
Perception, discrimination and emotional response |
Impairments caused by head injury:
Loss of ability to coordinate fine movements
Loss of ability to walk
Inability to reach out and grab objects
Tremors
Dizziness (Vertigo)
Slurred Speech (Scanning Speech)
Inability to make rapid movements. |
| Brain
Stem |
Functions:
Located, deep in the brain, leads to spinal cord. Involved with:
Breathing
Heart Rate
Swallowing
Reflexes to seeing and hearing (startle Response)
Controls sweating, blood pressure, digestion, temperature (Autonomic
Nervous System)
Affects Level of Alertness.
Ability to Sleep
Sense of Balance (Vestibular Function) |
Impairments caused by head injury:
Decreased vital capacity in breathing, important for speech
Swallowing food and water (Dysphagia)
Difficulty with organization / perception of the environment
Problems with balance and movement
Dizziness and nausea (Vertigo)
Sleeping difficulties (Insomnia, Sleep Apnea) |
| Spinal
Cord |
Functions:
Continuation of the lower part of the Brain Stem
the brain stem is involved in:
Coordination of voluntary movement
Balance and equilibrium
Some memory for reflex motor movements |
Impairments caused by head injury:
Loss of ability to coordinate fine movements
Loss of ability to walk
Inability to reach out and grab objects
Tremors
Dizziness (Vertigo)
Slurred Speech (Scanning Speech)
Inability to make rapid movements. |
|
Hypothalamus
|
|
Functions: Located beneath the thalamus
and laterally is continuous with the
subthalamic regions. It contains
neurosecretions which are of importance
in the control of certain metabolic activities,
such as maintenance of water balance, sugar
and fat metabolism, regulation of body
temperature, and secretion of releasing and
inhibiting hormones, it is the chief subcortical
region for the integration of sympathetic and parasympathetic activities |
Impairments caused by head injury:
Water balance
Sugar and fat metabolism
Regulation of body temperature
Hormonal regulation
Excitability |
brain@headinjury.com
