Damage to the brain areas affects corresponding functions. However, the brain is a very complex organ. It is yet to be ” fully” understood. We haven’t even fully ” mapped it yet, and intensive research yields evermore discoveries.
Each area/ zone of the brain handles different functions of the body. But the distinction is not always absolute. Same function may be handled by different areas , and to different degrees, And some areas overlap, and in case of need, may take over functioning of the other areas too !
At a broad level , the brain has three basic units : the forebrain, the midbrain and the hindbrain. Each may be further subdivided into further brain areas. Of which the major ones are Occipital lobe, Temporal lobe, Parietal lobe, Frontal lobe, Cerebral cortex, Cerebellum, Hypothalamus, Thalamus,Pituitary gland, Pineal gland, Amygdala, Hippocampus and the Mid- brain. However, areas within these areas also have their own functions.
Stroke can impact a multiplicity of areas. And extent of damage to each may vary from person to person depending upon situation. Further, the ability of a brain cell ( or cells) to take on ” additional ” responsibilities based upon the concept of neuroplasticity also varies from one individual to another .
Here is a description of responsibilities of each of the brain areas. Click in to read in much more detail about a specific zone and its responsibilities.
Occipital lobe : Back of the brain, and is responsible for vision and consequently ” recognition: of objects.
Temporal lobe: On each side of the brain and just above the ears, they handle hearing, memory, meaning, and language. They also play a role in emotion and learning. Primarily they process and interpret auditory stimuli.
Parietal lobe: The parietal lobes are found behind the frontal lobes, above the temporal lobes, and at the top back of the brain. Primarily responsible for handling and processing sensory inputs received via the nerves such as nerve impulses related to touch, pain, taste, pressure, and temperature. They also have language functions.
Frontal lobe: Responsible for emotions, reasoning, planning, movement, and parts of speech. Also handles decisions oriented and purposeful acts such as creativity, judgment and problem solving.
Cerebral cortex: Controls thinking, voluntary movements, language, reasoning, and perception. In higher mammals the cortex looks like it has lots of wrinkles, grooves and bumps.
Cerebellum: Controls movement, balance, posture, and coordination. Also linked to thinking, novelty, and emotions. The “limbic system” also called the “emotional brain”, is found buried within the cerebrum.
Hypothalamus : Controls body temperature, emotions, hunger, thirst, appetite, digestion and sleep. The hypothalamus is composed of several different areas and is located at the base of the brain. It is only the size of a pea (about 1/300 of the total brain weight), but is responsible for some very important behaviors.
Thalamus : Controls sensory integration and motor integration. Receives sensory information and relays it to the cerebral cortex. The cerebral cortex also sends information to the thalamus which then transmits this information to other parts of the brain and the brain stem.
Pituitary gland : Controls hormones and it helps to turn food to energy. Without this gland one could eat but get no energy from the food eaten !
Pineal gland : Controls growing and maturing. It is activated by light. For one severely starved of light – for instance in polar regions – one might find this severely under-developed.
Amygdala : The amygdala (there are two of them) controls emotions such as regulating when you’re happy or mad.
Hippocampus : Forms and stores memories and is involved in learning. If you didn’t have it, you wouldn’t be able to remember anything. People with Alzheimer’s disease loose the functioning of their hippocampas.
Mid- brain : this section controls breathing and swallowing reflexes. Includes the Thalamus, Hippocampus, and Amygdala. Every living thing has to have a mid-brain.
Pons : Part of the metencephalon in the hindbrain. It is involved in motor control and sensory analysis… for example, information from the ear first enters the brain in the pons. It has parts that are important for the level of consciousness and for sleep. Some structures within the pons are linked to the cerebellum, thus are involved in movement and posture.
Medulla Oblongata – this structure is the caudal-most part of the brain stem, between the pons and spinal cord. It is responsible for maintaining vital body functions, such as breathing, digestion and heartbeat.
So what happens when stroke strikes and affects any of above brain areas ? As may be expected, deterioration in corresponding bodily / mental /cognitive functions happens. For more details see links hereunder.
- Frontal lobe stroke
- Cerebellar stroke
- Parietal lobe stroke
- Temporal lobe stroke
- Thalamic stroke
- Occipital lobe stroke
- Brain stem stroke
- Pontine stroke
- Internal capsule stroke
- Basal ganglia stroke
- Motor cortex stroke
Here are links to some useful guides to stroke recovery, focusing on overall areas of the brain impacted and the degree of impact.
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* Be fast – Stroke Symptoms in English with Videos of Actual Strokes
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* स्ट्रोक-के-साधारण-लक्षण
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