Question

Write a short note on Hindbrain.

Answer 1

Hint: Hindbrain is a control centre of many important activities such as breathing and involuntary movements. It includes the second largest part of the brain. Two of its parts are associated with control of respiration.

Complete answer:
The human brain is divided into three parts: Forebrain or Prosencephalon, Midbrain or Mesencephalon and Hindbrain or Rhombencephalon.
The hindbrain is further composed of the following three structures – Cerebellum, Pons, Medulla oblongata.
Cerebellum: It is the second-largest part of the brain and located at the back of the skull. It consists of two lateral cerebellar hemispheres and a small median vermis. The grey matter of the cerebellum is called cerebellar cortex while the white matter inside forms a branched tree-like structure called arbor vitae.
Function: Controls body posture, Coordinate rapid muscular activities such as running, walking, Maintains equilibrium of the body.
Pons: It lies directly superior to the medulla oblongata and in front of the cerebellum. It serves as the bridge between the midbrain and medulla oblongata.
Function: Contains nuclei (cluster of neurons in the central nervous system)and fibres of nerves that serve eye muscle control, facial muscle strength. Help in respiration bye coordination with the medulla oblongata.
Medulla oblongata: It is a long connecting part of the brain to the spinal cord. Its shape is like a pyramid.
Functions: The medulla oblongata helps control involuntary actions, including vital processes such as heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, swallowing and salivary secretions.

Note: Throughout the human central nervous system, both gray and white matter are spread. Gray matter consists primarily of neuronal cell bodies or soma. Soma incorporates the neuron’s nucleus. White matter are the areas of the brain which mainly consist of myelinated axons, and are whitish due to the relatively high lipid content of myelin sheath. The efficient and fast transmission of nerve impulses is due to the presence of myelin sheath in humans.