Cerebrum is largest and highly developed part of human brain. Accounting for about 85% of brain’s total weight, this is responsible for everything from your ability to recognize a friend’s face to your capacity for calculus.
Structure
Cerebrum is divided into two halves: left and right cerebral hemispheres. They are connected by a thick bundle of nerve fibers called corpus callosum, allows two sides to communicate.
Surface of cerebrum isn’t smooth; it’s characterized by a series of folds and grooves:
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Gyri: bumps or ridges on surface.
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Sulci: Shallow grooves between ridges.
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Fissures: Deep grooves that separate major regions (like longitudinal fissure separating hemispheres).
Folded architecture vastly increases the surface area of the cerebral cortex (the outer layer of gray matter), allowing for more neurons and, consequently, greater processing power.
Four Lobes of Cerebrum
Each hemisphere is divided into four distinct lobes, each specializing in different functions:
| Lobe | Primary Functions |
| Frontal Lobe | Reasoning, planning, motor control, personality, and expressive language. |
| Parietal Lobe | Processing sensory information (touch, pressure, pain) and spatial orientation. |
| Temporal Lobe | Auditory processing (hearing), memory formation, and language comprehension. |
| Occipital Lobe | Visual processing—interpreting what your eyes see. |
Functions
Beyond lobes, cerebrum contains specialized regions for specific tasks:
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Cerebral Cortex: Layer of gray matter where actual information processing occurs.
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Basal Ganglia: Deep structures that help coordinate fine motor movements and habit formation.
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Limbic System: Tucked under cerebrum, it work with it to regulate emotions and long-term memory.
Why Cerebrum Matters
Without a functioning cerebrum, we would lose what makes us human. It is consciousness. Lower parts of brain (like brainstem) handle breathing and heart rate, cerebrum allows you to:
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Interpret Sensory Data: Converting electrical signals from your skin, eyes, and ears into meaningful experiences.
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Execute Voluntary Movement: Deciding to pick up a coffee cup and directing your muscles to do so.
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Facilitate Language: Both physical act of speaking and mental act of understanding rules.
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Higher Intelligence: Abstract thought, imagination, and moral judgment.