Have you ever wondered how you are able to do all of the activities you do every day? Dr. Sara Mitchell, cognitive neurologist at Sunnybrook, breaks down one of the most complex and sophisticated organs in the universe: the human brain.
The human brain is always active, even during sleep, and is composed of four main lobes. The frontal lobe sits right above your eyes and is the CEO of your brain. It’s responsible for decision making, problem solving and shaping your personality. In short, it makes you who you are.
The parietal lobe is located at the top back part of your brain. Think of this as your GPS system, helping navigate where you need to go. If you’ve ever stubbed your toe, this is also the lobe that helps you process sensations like pain, touch and temperature.
The temporal lobe sits right beside your ears. This area acts like the brain’s DJ, helping you process complex sounds and language. In addition to these important tasks, the temporal lobe also oversees your processing of emotions and memories.
The fourth lobe of the brain is called the occipital lobe, and is located right at the back of your head. It is the artist of the brain, allowing you to process complex visual scenes and see the world in vivid detail and colour.
Each part of the brain is important, but just like human beings, they don’t operate on their own. All four lobes work together to integrate and synthesize all the information and sensations around us.
A few more interesting facts about the human brain:
- The brain interprets pain signals for the body, but doesn’t feel pain in itself
- It shrinks as we get older
- Brain tissue is soft and squishy, similar to the consistency of gelatin
