Epilepsy

The parts of the brain and what they do

The brain has three main parts:

The cerebrum (the largest part)
The brain stem
The cerebellum.

Each part of the brain has its own special jobs, although the different parts also work together.

Cerebrum

The cerebrum is what most people think of when you mention the brain. It's the largest part of your brain and controls your movement and senses (sight, smell, hearing, touch and taste).

If you or your child has seizures that affect only part of the brain (partial seizures), unusual electrical activity begins in the cerebrum. (To learn about partial seizures, see What are the symptoms of epilepsy?)

The cerebrum is split into two sides by a deep groove. The sides are called the right and left cerebral hemispheres. Each of these sides contains matching lobes or regions. And each lobe has certain jobs to do, although lobes may also share some jobs.

Here's a guide.

Each half of your cerebrum is made up of four lobes.

Frontal lobe

In each hemisphere, the frontal lobe sits just behind the forehead and controls your muscles and movement. It's also involved in your behavior and emotions.

If a seizure affects this part of the brain:

Parts of your body may stiffen or move
Your muscles may jerk and make you fall over.

Temporal lobe

This lobe controls two senses: hearing and smell. It also helps to control emotion, memory, speech and behavior.

If a seizure affects this part of the brain:

You may get strange smells (such as burning kerosene) and hear odd sounds that are not really there
You may get an odd feeling in your stomach
Your speech may be slurred
You may have changes in your mood and behavior. For example, you may get déjà vu (when something feels familiar even though it hasn't happened before).

Occipital lobe

This part of the cerebrum controls vision. It interprets what you see.

If a seizure affects this part of the brain:

You may see things that aren't there, such as balls of color. Or you may see illusions (for example, rooms may seem a different shape).

Parietal lobe

This lobe sits behind the frontal lobe and in front of the occipital lobe. It helps you feel touch, temperature and pain. It also helps you be aware of where your body is and what it is doing.

If a seizure affects this part of the brain:

You may have tingling feelings in your arms and legs
Parts of your body may feel numb, especially your arms and legs.

Brain stem

The brain stem is in the lower part of your brain. It connects the brain to the spinal cord (this is the tube of nerves that sits inside your spine).

The brain stem has many jobs:

It keeps your heart beating
It makes you breathe
It controls the muscles in your face, tongue and voice box (these are the muscles you use when you swallow food or talk)
It controls your eye muscles
It helps to keep you awake (conscious).

Seizures do not start in the brain stem.

Cerebellum

The cerebellum fits between the cerebrum and the brain stem. This part of the brain helps to coordinate your body's movements.

Seizures do not start in the cerebellum.

This information was last updated on Dec 04, 2008

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.

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