What functions are carried out by the human brain? Solution The brain consists of three major parts: the forebrain (cerebrum and diencephalon), midbrain (tectum and tegmentum), and hindbrain (pons, cerebellum, medulla). Often the midbrain, pons, and medulla are referred as the brainstem. The cerebrum or cortex is the largest part of the human brain and is divided into four sections or lobes- the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, and temporal lobe. The functions of each lobe are: Frontal Lobe- voluntarymotor activity, speaking ability, thought processes, reasoning, and problem solving Parietal Lobe- process sensory information such as temperature, pain, taste and touch; movement and orientation The diencephalon contains the epithalamus, thalamus and hypothalamus. Epithalmus secretes cerebrospinal fluid. Thalamus provides limited sensory awareness of pain, temperature, touch and pressure. The hypothalamus has important functions such as regulating body temperature, thirst, foodintake, sleeping rhythms, pituitary glands, emotional and behavioural patterns. The cerebellum controls body posture, maintains muscle tone, and coordinate voluntary muscles. The pons which serves as a bridge between the midbrain and the medulla, controls the facial and eye muscles. The medulla controls the reflexes for vomiting, swallowing, sneezing, coughing and hiccupping. The mid brain is a small constricted portion covered by cerebrum. The parts of tectum are related to optical activity and auditory functions. The brain stem is responsible for important life functions such as breathing, heartbeat, and blood pressure..