What are the major subcortical areas and their main functions – list at least four.

What are the major subcortical areas and their main functions – list at least four.

Below the cerebral cortex are a variety of other structures, called subcortical structures.

1) FOREBRAIN

Basal ganglia is involved in motor control.

Limbic system is not only one structure but several: hippocampus, amygdala, septum, cingulate gyrus, and others. In the middle of septum is one location of "pleasure centers". Amygdala involved in emotions, fear, defensive, and aggressive behaviors. And hippocampus interacts with temporal lobe to help establish event memor.

Thalamus is in control of sleep and attention. It also receives input from eyes, ear, spinal cord, relays information to cerebral cortex.

Hypothalamus is involved with basic functions like eating, sex, temperature control, sleep, aggression.

2) MIDBRAIN

Tectum is divided in two parts:
Superior colliculi related to eye movement and localization of objects.
Inferior colliculi related to sense of hearing.

Tegmentum is involved in control of movement.

3) HINDBRAIN

Cerebellum controls fine motor movement, timing; motor memory, planning of movements.

Pons connects cerebrum with cerebellum. It also contains centers regulating sleep, feeding and facial expression.

Medulla is in control of heart and respiration rate, digestive functions, blood pressure.

Forebrain-> includes the basal ganglia (motor control), limbic system (hippocampus, amygdala, cingulated gyrus etc), thalamus and hypothalamus.

Midbrain-> includes the tectum (eye movements, localization of objects and sense of hearing) and tegmentum.

Hindbrain-> includes the cerebellum, reticular information, pons and medulla (controls important functions such as heart rate and digestive functions).