Your brain helps you think, move, remember and respond to the world. Understanding a few basic structures can make health information easier to follow without reducing every symptom to a simple explanation.
A few structures to know
Johns Hopkins Medicine’s brain anatomy guide describes the cerebrum’s roles in thinking and learning, the cerebellum’s role in coordination and balance, and the brainstem’s role in functions such as breathing. These structures work within a complex nervous system.
Protective coverings are not brain layers
The dura mater, arachnoid mater and pia mater are the meninges: protective coverings surrounding the brain and spinal cord. They should not be described as three layers making up the brain itself. See the guide’s section on the meninges for the distinction.
Connect curiosity with appropriate care
A diagram of the brain cannot diagnose a concern or establish that a therapy will treat a neurological condition. Ask a qualified healthcare professional about symptoms and the evidence for any proposed intervention.
For mental health treatment, NIMH’s psychotherapy information can help you prepare questions about a clinician’s approach. To explore BTBT’s services, visit the specialties page or contact Beyond the Brain Therapies.
