Cerebrum
Largest brain part controlling voluntary actions and higher functions.
The cerebrum, also known as the telencephalon or endbrain, is the largest part of the brain, containing the cerebral cortex and several subcortical structures such as the hippocampus, basal ganglia, and olfactory bulb. In humans, it is the uppermost region of the central nervous system and, with the assistance of the cerebellum, controls all voluntary actions in the body.
- Part of
- Brain
- Largest division
- Yes
- Develops from
- Forebrain (prosencephalon)
- Key components
- Cerebral cortex, hippocampus, basal ganglia, olfactory bulb
- Primary functions
- Voluntary motor control, sensory perception, memory, emotions, language
Lore & Background
The cerebrum develops prenatally from the forebrain (prosencephalon). In mammals, the dorsal telencephalon (pallium) becomes the cerebral cortex, while the ventral telencephalon (subpallium) becomes the basal ganglia. The cerebrum is divided into approximately symmetric left and right cerebral hemispheres by the longitudinal fissure, and it is contralaterally organized: the right hemisphere processes signals from the left side of the body, and the left hemisphere from the right side.
Reader's Guide
The cerebrum is the largest and best-developed of the five major divisions of the brain in humans. Its cerebral cortex, found only in mammals, folds into gyri and sulci to increase surface area and is classified into four lobes: frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal, plus the insular lobe. The cerebrum controls emotions, hearing, vision, personality, and all precision of voluntary actions, and it functions as the center of sensory perception, memory, thoughts, and judgement. Damage to specific areas can cause deficits such as aphasia, loss of vision, or impaired olfaction. Its development from the forebrain and its layered cytoarchitecture distinguish it from the brains of birds and fish.
Did You Know?
- The cerebrum is divided into two C-shaped cerebral hemispheres separated by the longitudinal fissure.
- The cerebral cortex is found only in mammals and folds into gyri and sulci in larger mammals.
- The olfactory bulb sends axons directly to the olfactory cortex, not to the thalamus first.
- Damage to Broca's area results in expressive aphasia, while damage to Wernicke's area results in receptive aphasia.
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