Hindbrain: Structure, Diagram and Functions

The hindbrain is one of the major parts of the brain. The brain of a human is a combination of many complex parts and it is segregated into three parts namely Forebrain, Midbrain, and Hindbrain.

• The brain is responsible for performing different functions of a body that includes the heartbeat, breathing, and many others.
• The hindbrain is present in the lower back area of the brain.
• The cerebellum present is a structure that is coral-shaped and has numerous brainstems which are dense.

Key Takeaways: Brain, Hindbrain, Pons, Cerebellum, Medulla

Structure of Hindbrain

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The hindbrain is a part of the brain that is present in the lower back region of the brain. The other name of the hindbrain is called Rhombencephalon. Through the development of the embryo, the former end of the neural tubes is categorised into three bulging parts that are forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain. Further, they are segregated into different parts which turn into the brain of an adult. The hindbrain has further parts namely Metencephalon and Myelencephalon. The Metencephalon has two parts namely the cerebellum and pons, while the Myelencephalon has the medulla.

Therefore, in an adult’s brain, the hindbrain has different parts that are the cerebellum, pons, medulla oblongata (medulla).

Pons

Pons is a part of the system of the brain which is located above the medulla and below the midbrain. It has neural tracts that are responsible for connecting the various parts of the brain. It also aids in controlling the signals from the brain to the parts including the cerebellum and medulla. It is also responsible for transmitting sensory signals to the thalamus. It helps in transferring the information from the cerebellum to the forebrain. In the four cranial nuclei that are trigeminal (V), abducens (VI), facia (VII), and vestibulocochlear (VIII), it helps in shifting the nuclei. It helps in regulating the sleep and wake cycle and alertness in the brain and acts as a part of the neuron network in the brain.

Cerebellum

The cerebellum provides a larger surface to the neurons as it has a convoluted surface. It has an abundance of granule cells and Purkinje fibres. It is one of the major parts of motor control which gets the sensory signals from the various parts of the brain and the spinal cord. It is responsible for the precision, coordination, and calibrating of motor responses. The fibres of Purkinje are responsible for the coordination and are long in structure. With the help of short granules, the cerebellum also helps in maintaining equilibrium, muscle tone, and posture. It can also help in gathering the motor skills like cycling or swimming and the unconscious memories. If any injury occurs in the cerebellum, it results in muscle movements that remain uncoordinated. The activities which require precision like inserting thread in the needle will be difficult to execute.

Medulla

Medulla Oblongata or medulla is the backward part of the brain that is in continuation with the spinal cord. Together with the pons and midbrain, it is a brain stem that has a long stem-like structure. In continuation with the spinal cord, it has a cavity namely the fourth ventricle. It also has many axons which lay on a thick wall and form a nerve tract that helps connect the other parts of the brain with the spinal cord. The medulla is responsible for conducting numerous processes vital for a human’s life such as heartbeat, respiration, blood pressure, gastric secretions, and many others. For the reflex actions like coughing, vomiting, or swallowing, the medulla acts as an important factor in its regulation.

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Functions of Hindbrain

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As discussed, the hindbrain performs various vital processes.

• Pons: The changes that are made from inhalation to exhalation are due to the pneumotaxic center located in the pons.
• Cerebellum: Cerebellum is responsible for better coordination and motor activity in the brain.
• Medulla: The medulla is responsible for regulating all the autonomic functions. It also manages respiration which is completed using chemoreceptors that helps in sensing the pH of the blood.

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Points to Remember

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Following are some important points:

• Human brain performs the functions and processes of the human body.
• Human brain has three major parts namely the forebrain, hindbrain, and midbrain. Hindbrain is further divided into three parts that are pons, cerebellum, and medulla.
• The other name of the hindbrain is Rhombencephalon.
• Pons is responsible for the alertness and sleep-wake cycle. The cerebellum helps in the precision required activities and muscle movements. The medulla is responsible for vital activities and reflex actions.

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