Nurse Teaching on Functions of Different Parts of the Brain

Nurse educated the patient and caregiver on the functions of different parts of the brain as follows:

  1. Brain is broadly divided into cerebrum or the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and brainstem, each part performing different functions and put together contribute to the normal function of the brain.
  2. Cerebrum is the big dome-shaped part of the brain, divided into many lobes, and occupies major part of the space in the skull.
  3. Cerebrum is the highest center in the sensory system, receiving sensory information, such as, touch, heat, cold, pain, vision, hearing, smell, and taste from the whole body. Cerebrum helps process and perceive the sensory information received.
  4. Cerebrum functions as the highest center of motor activity and controls voluntary body movements, such as, sitting, standing, stretching, jumping, walking, and running. Cerebrum also functions as the highest center of memory, thoughts, planning, emotions, behavior, and judgement.
  5. Cerebellum is a smaller part of the brain, located below the cerebrum and contributes to maintain balance & posture.
  6. Brainstem is the posterior and inferior part of the brain controlling the basic involuntary body functions, such as, heart rate, respirations, blood pressure control, and consciousness. The brain stem also controls the flow of messages between the upper brain or cerebrum and the rest of the body. At the base of brain, brainstem is continuous with the spinal cord.