How the Brain Works

The brain is the body’s control center

Our brain makes it possible for us to learn and remember, as well as do things that we often don’t think about, like breathing and moving our arms and legs to walk and stand up. How we feel, and our ability to see, hear, taste, smell, and sense touch are also controlled by our brain.

The brain is mostly made up of specialized cells (such as neurons and glial cells), as well as proteins, fats, water, and blood vessels. Each part of the brain plays a role in how the brain works and in allowing different parts of the brain and body to communicate. Read about brain health.

Parts of the brain

The three main parts of the brain include the cerebrum, cerebellum, and the brainstem.

1. Cerebrum: The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain. The cerebrum helps us with many things, including: attention, memory, speech, planning, decision-making, hearing, vision, sense of touch/ taste/ and smell, movement of your arms and legs, emotions, and behavior.

2. Cerebellum: The cerebellum works with the cerebrum to control movement and motor skills, like throwing a ball or grabbing a pencil, and manages balance and coordination.

3. Brainstem: The brain stem controls the basic activities in the body, like breathing and heart rate, as well as our consciousness, keeping the “thinking” part of the brain awake.

Like other parts of the body, the brain can get injured

A injury to the brain may result from a fall or hit to the head, stroke or blood clot in the brain, limited or loss of oxygen to the brain, an object entering the skull and brain, a blast wave from an explosion, as well as medical conditions (including an infection, tumor or seizure) or due to poisoning or exposure to a toxin (such as when a person is exposed to high amounts of lead, carbon monoxide, or smoke inhalation from a fire). Read more about brain injury.

Compassionate answers. Real support. Every step of the way.

Contact the National Brain Injury Information Center at 1-800-444-6443 to speak to a specialist about:

• Help with care needs
• Legal and financial resources
• Services in your community