A brain is part of the human anatomy that is made of a bulk of nerve-muscle and is well protected inside the skull. It performs many functions which include; regulating breathing and blood pressure, processing sensory data and, discharging hormones (Becker and Hayhurst 98). Further, it contains several parts which are cerebrum, brain stem, cerebellum and diencephalon. The cerebrum occupies the largest section and is separated into two regions known as hemispheres which are divided by a longitudinal crack. Every hemisphere is partitioned into wide parts called lobes where each of them has specific functions: Frontal lobes are situated in the anterior part section of the brain and, they manage critical habits like attention, preparation, solving problems, conclusions as well as emotions. Parietal lobes interpret and organize messages from different sections of the brain (Becker and Hayhurst 134).
Temporal lobes enhance facial recognizing, interpreting feelings and reactions plus understanding language. Occipital lobes are usually at the back; they help recognize typed words and to read. The Cerebellum is located at the back of the brain assists the body to maintain balance, position and, equilibrium (Marcano-Reik 149). Moreover, the diencephalon is placed at the bottom and it has different parts which are hypothalamus; helps retain the balance of all body parts by controlling appetite, temperature, production of hormones and wake-sleep routines, the thalamus and, epithalamus which connects the limbic networks with various parts of the brain. The brain stem is situated in front parts of the cerebellum and it is attached to the spinal cord. It has three which are midbrain, Pons and, Medulla oblongata which functions like the center for tasks of lungs and the heart thus helps in swallowing, inhaling and, sneezing (Marcano-Reik 176).
Spinal Cord
Spinal is a stretched tube that consists of nerves which run from the bottom the brain via the vertebral canal towards the backbone. Spinal cord is around 2 cm in diameter and 45 cm in adults and it only occupies 2/3 of vertebral canal (Becker and Hayhurst 111). The spinal cord is divided into different parts where each contains two roots made of nerves which are named conferring to the part of the vertebral column they originate from. Spinal nerves link the brain to the nerves in many parts of the body while brain stem links the brain to the spinal cord.
The spinal cord executes many functions which include locomotion, reflexes and, electrical communication. During walking, a number of muscle groups inside the legs are organized to contract frequently which is as a result of coordination of neurons called dominant pattern producers found in the spinal cord. The neurons send signals to the leg muscles causing contractions that lead to movements which are involved in walking (Marcano-Reik 148). Reflexes are predictable automatic responses to stimulate the brain and, the spinal cord. Electrical communications allow relay of information amongst different fragments of the body because these cords pass over many stages of that stem segment.
Similarities and Differences
Both organs control involuntary activities where the brain stem takes manages breathing and the spinal cord helps in controlling involuntary reflexes. However, the two organs perform separate functions in which the spinal cord helps in modest reflex reactions and the brain facilitates conscious attentiveness. Conclusively, the brain has many parts which facilitate many functions of the body while the spinal cord performs only one major function.
Work Cited
Becker, Jack, and Chris Hayhurst. The Brain and Spinal Cord in 3D. Rosen Central, 2016.
Marcano-Reik, Amy Jo. Brain and Spinal Cord Plasticity: An Interdisciplinary and Integrative Approach for Behavior, Cognition and Health. Nova Biomedical, 2016.
