Human brain
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| - | The '''human brain''' is the main organ of the human [[central nervous system]]. It is located in the [[human head|head]], protected by the [[human skull|skull]]. It has the same general structure as the brains of other [[mammal]]s, but with a more developed [[cerebral cortex]]. Large animals such as whales and elephants have [[brain-to-body mass ratio|larger brains]] in absolute terms, but when measured using a [[encephalization quotient|measure of relative brain size]], which compensates for body size, the quotient for the human brain is almost twice as large as that of a [[bottlenose dolphin]], and three times as large as that of a [[chimpanzee]], though the quotient for a [[treeshrew]]'s brain is larger than that of a human's.<ref>{{Cite web | + | The '''human brain''' is the main organ of the human [[central nervous system]]. It is located in the [[human head|head]], protected by the [[human skull|skull]]. It has the same general structure as the brains of other [[mammal]]s, but with a more developed [[cerebral cortex]]. Large animals such as whales and elephants have [[brain-to-body mass ratio|larger brains]] in absolute terms, but when measured using a [[encephalization quotient|measure of relative brain size]], which compensates for body size, the quotient for the human brain is almost twice as large as that of a [[bottlenose dolphin]], and three times as large as that of a [[chimpanzee]], though the quotient for a [[treeshrew]]'s brain is larger than that of a human's. Much of the size of the human brain comes from the cerebral cortex, especially the [[frontal lobe]]s, which are associated with [[executive functions]] such as [[self-control]], [[planning]], [[reason]]ing, and [[abstraction|abstract thought]]. The area of the cerebral cortex devoted to [[visual perception|vision]], the [[visual cortex]], is also greatly enlarged in humans compared to other animals. |
| - | | title = Tupaia belangeri | + | |
| - | | publisher = The Genome Institute, Washington University | + | |
| - | | url = http://genome.wustl.edu/genomes/view/tupaia_belangeri | + | |
| - | | accessdate = January 2016 | + | |
| - | }}</ref> Much of the size of the human brain comes from the cerebral cortex, especially the [[frontal lobe]]s, which are associated with [[executive functions]] such as [[self-control]], [[planning]], [[reason]]ing, and [[abstraction|abstract thought]]. The area of the cerebral cortex devoted to [[visual perception|vision]], the [[visual cortex]], is also greatly enlarged in humans compared to other animals. | + | |
| The human cerebral cortex is a thick layer of [[Nervous tissue|neural tissue]] that covers the two [[cerebral hemisphere]]s that make up most of the brain. This layer is folded in a way that increases the amount of surface area that can fit into the volume available. The [[gyrification|pattern of folds]] is similar across individuals but shows many small variations. The cortex is divided into four [[lobe (anatomy)|lobes]] – the [[frontal lobe]], [[parietal lobe]], [[temporal lobe]], and [[occipital lobe]]. (Some classification systems also include a [[limbic lobe]] and treat the [[insular cortex]] as a lobe.) Within each lobe are numerous cortical areas, each associated with a particular function, including vision, [[motor control]], and [[language]]. The left and right hemispheres are broadly similar in shape, and most cortical areas are replicated on both sides. Some areas, though, show strong [[lateralization of brain function|lateralization]], particularly areas that are involved in language. In most people, the left hemisphere is dominant for language, with the right hemisphere playing only a minor role. There are other functions, such as [[spatial visualization ability|visual-spatial ability]], for which the right hemisphere is usually dominant. | The human cerebral cortex is a thick layer of [[Nervous tissue|neural tissue]] that covers the two [[cerebral hemisphere]]s that make up most of the brain. This layer is folded in a way that increases the amount of surface area that can fit into the volume available. The [[gyrification|pattern of folds]] is similar across individuals but shows many small variations. The cortex is divided into four [[lobe (anatomy)|lobes]] – the [[frontal lobe]], [[parietal lobe]], [[temporal lobe]], and [[occipital lobe]]. (Some classification systems also include a [[limbic lobe]] and treat the [[insular cortex]] as a lobe.) Within each lobe are numerous cortical areas, each associated with a particular function, including vision, [[motor control]], and [[language]]. The left and right hemispheres are broadly similar in shape, and most cortical areas are replicated on both sides. Some areas, though, show strong [[lateralization of brain function|lateralization]], particularly areas that are involved in language. In most people, the left hemisphere is dominant for language, with the right hemisphere playing only a minor role. There are other functions, such as [[spatial visualization ability|visual-spatial ability]], for which the right hemisphere is usually dominant. | ||
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The human brain is the main organ of the human central nervous system. It is located in the head, protected by the skull. It has the same general structure as the brains of other mammals, but with a more developed cerebral cortex. Large animals such as whales and elephants have larger brains in absolute terms, but when measured using a measure of relative brain size, which compensates for body size, the quotient for the human brain is almost twice as large as that of a bottlenose dolphin, and three times as large as that of a chimpanzee, though the quotient for a treeshrew's brain is larger than that of a human's. Much of the size of the human brain comes from the cerebral cortex, especially the frontal lobes, which are associated with executive functions such as self-control, planning, reasoning, and abstract thought. The area of the cerebral cortex devoted to vision, the visual cortex, is also greatly enlarged in humans compared to other animals.
The human cerebral cortex is a thick layer of neural tissue that covers the two cerebral hemispheres that make up most of the brain. This layer is folded in a way that increases the amount of surface area that can fit into the volume available. The pattern of folds is similar across individuals but shows many small variations. The cortex is divided into four lobes – the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe, and occipital lobe. (Some classification systems also include a limbic lobe and treat the insular cortex as a lobe.) Within each lobe are numerous cortical areas, each associated with a particular function, including vision, motor control, and language. The left and right hemispheres are broadly similar in shape, and most cortical areas are replicated on both sides. Some areas, though, show strong lateralization, particularly areas that are involved in language. In most people, the left hemisphere is dominant for language, with the right hemisphere playing only a minor role. There are other functions, such as visual-spatial ability, for which the right hemisphere is usually dominant.
Despite being protected by the thick bones of the skull, suspended in cerebrospinal fluid, and isolated from the bloodstream by the blood–brain barrier, the human brain is susceptible to damage and disease. The most common forms of physical damage are closed head injuries such as a blow to the head or other trauma, a stroke, or poisoning by a number of chemicals that can act as neurotoxins, such as alcohol. Infection of the brain, though serious, is rare because of the protective blood-to brain and blood-to cerebral fluid barriers. The human brain is also susceptible to degenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, forms of dementia including Alzheimer's disease, (mostly as the result of aging) and multiple sclerosis. A number of psychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia and clinical depression, are thought to be associated with brain dysfunctions, although the nature of these is not well understood. The brain can also be the site of brain tumors and these can be benign or malignant.
There are some techniques for studying the brain that are used in other animals that are not suitable for use in humans and vice versa; it is easier to obtain individual brain cells taken from other animals, for study. It is also possible to use invasive techniques in other animals such as inserting electrodes into the brain or disabling certains parts of the brain in order to examine the effects on behaviour – techniques that are not possible to be used in humans. However, only humans can respond to complex verbal instructions or be of use in the study of important brain functions such as language and other complex cognitive tasks, but studies from humans and from other animals, can be of mutual help. Medical imaging technologies such as functional neuroimaging and EEG recordings are important techniques in studying the brain. The complete functional understanding of the human brain is an ongoing challenge for neuroscience.
See also
- Cephalic disorders, concerning defects of the head, especially the brain
- Cephalization
- History of neuroscience
- Philosophy of mind
- Lateralization of brain function
- Lobes of the brain
- Neuroanatomy
- Neural development in humans
- Neuroanthropology
- Neuroscience
- Regions in the human brain
- Common misconceptions about the brain
