Your
brain has three main components--the cerebrum (which consists of the left
and
right cerebral hemispheres), the cerebellum, and the brain stem. The cerebral
hemispheres
of the brain make up the largest part of your brain. The cerebellum is
the structure located behind the brain stem, and the brain stem is the
lowest section of the brain and is connected to the spinal cord. The central
structures of the brain are the thalamus, hypothalamus, and pituitary
gland. The thalamus relays sensory information to the cerebrum; the hypothalamus
helps regulate body functions such as thirst and appetite, as well as sleep,
aggression, and sexual behavior; and the pituitary gland produces hormones
that play a role in growth, development, and various other physiological
variables. The pons, medulla, and midbrain are the 3 structures that compose
the brain stem. The ventricles are natural cavities inside the brain filled
with cerebrospinal fluid.