cerebrum

(noun)

The upper part of the brain, divided into the two cerebral hemispheres. In humans, it is the largest part of the brain and the seat of motor and sensory functions, as well as higher mental functions such as consciousness, thought, reason, emotion, and memory.

Related Terms

Examples of cerebrum in the following topics:

  • Overview of the Cerebrum

    • With the assistance of the cerebellum, the cerebrum controls all voluntary actions in the body.
    • The cerebrum, which lies in front or on top of the brainstem, comprises a large portion of the brain.
    • The cerebrum is the newest structure in the phylogenetic sense, with mammals having the largest and most developed among all species.
    • With the assistance of the cerebellum, the cerebrum controls all voluntary actions in the body.
    • The cerebrum directs the conscious or volitional motor functions of the body.

  • White Matter of the Cerebrum

    • It consists mostly of glial cells and myelinated axons and forms the bulk of the deep parts of the cerebrum and the superficial parts of the spinal cord.
    • The axons of white matter transmit signals from various grey matter areas (the locations of nerve cell bodies) of the cerebrum to each other and carry nerve impulses between neurons.
    • Projection tracts extend vertically between higher and lower brain areas and spinal cord centers, and carry information between the cerebrum and the rest of the body.
    • Commissural tracts enable the left and right sides of the cerebrum to communicate with each other.

  • Spinal Cord White Matter

    • It consists mostly of glial cells and myelinated axons that transmit signals from one region of the cerebrum to another and between the cerebrum and lower brain centers.
    • They carry information between the cerebrum and the rest of the body.
    • The cortico spinal tracts, for example, carry motor signals from the cerebrum to the brainstem and spinal cord.
    • Commissural tracts enable the left and right sides of the cerebrum to communicate with each other.
    • The cerebellum is structured in a similar manner as the cerebrum, with a superficial mantle of cerebellar cortex, deep cerebellar white matter (called the "arbor vitae") and aggregates of grey matter surrounded by deep cerebellar white matter (dentate nucleus, globose nucleus, emboliform nucleus, and fastigial nucleus).

  • Functions of the Brain Stem

    • It contains tracts that carry signals from the cerebrum to the medulla and to the cerebellum.
    • All information relayed from the body to the cerebrum and cerebellum and vice versa must traverse the brainstem.
    • Only the first and the second pair emerge from the cerebrum; the remaining ten pairs emerge from the brainstem.

  • Grey and White Matter

    • Both the cerebrum and cerebellum have an outer additional layer of gray matter.
    • Grey matter is distributed at the surface of the cerebral hemispheres and cerebellum, as well as in the depths of the cerebrum, cerebellar, brainstem, and spinal grey matter.

  • The Brain

    • As a rule, the smaller the cerebrum, the less convoluted the cortex.
    • The cerebrum is attached to a stalk-like structure called the brain stem, which consists of the midbrain, pons, and medulla.
    • At the rear of the brain beneath the cerebrum and behind the brainstem is the cerebellum.

  • Functions of the Diencephalon

    • In adults, the diencephalon appears at the upper end of the brain stem, situated between the cerebrum and the brain stem.

  • Limbic System

    • This diagram of the limbic system delineates components of the diencephalon and cerebrum.

  • Brief Overview of Cranial Nerves

    • The terminal nerves, olfactory nerves (I) and optic nerves (II) emerge from the cerebrum or forebrain, and the remaining ten pairs arise from the brainstem, which is the lower part of the brain.

  • Parts of the Cerebellum

    • The cerebellum is separated from the overlying cerebrum by a layer of leathery dura mater.