Neuroscience for Kids - Brain Divisions

Divisions of the Brain

The brain can be separated into phylogenetic (through evolution) and embryological (through development) divisions. Below are two tables that show how the brain can be divided - do not get caught up in the terminology - these are just names for specific areas of the brain. "Divisions of the Nervous System" discusses the functions of many of these areas.

Divisions of the Brain

Major Division Subdivision Structures

Prosencephalon
(Forebrain) Telencephalon Neocortex; Basal Ganglia; Amygdala; Hippocampus; Lateral Ventricles

Diencephalon Thalamus; Hypothalamus; Epithalamus; Third Ventricle

Mesencephalon
(Midbrain) Mesencephalon Tectum; Tegmentum; Cerebral Aqueduct

Rhombencephalon
(Hindbrain) Metencephalon Cerebellum; Pons; Fourth Ventricle

Myelencephalon Medulla Oblongata; Fourth Ventricle

Divisions of the Brain
Major Division	Subdivision	Structures
Prosencephalon (Forebrain)	Telencephalon	Neocortex; Basal Ganglia; Amygdala; Hippocampus; Lateral Ventricles
Diencephalon	Thalamus; Hypothalamus; Epithalamus; Third Ventricle
Mesencephalon (Midbrain)	Mesencephalon	Tectum; Tegmentum; Cerebral Aqueduct
Rhombencephalon (Hindbrain)	Metencephalon	Cerebellum; Pons; Fourth Ventricle
Myelencephalon	Medulla Oblongata; Fourth Ventricle

Not enough detail for you? Here is another table showing more brain structures and their associated divisions. The roman numerals (I through XII) refer to the cranial nerves.

Divisions of the Brain

External
Landmarks Internal
Landmarks

Major Nuclei Major Fiber Tracts Ventricles

Telencephalon

Gyri and sulci
Olfactory Nerve (I)
Cerebral Cortex
Amygdala
Hippocampus
Basal Ganglia
Caudate nucleus
Putamen
Globus Pallidus
Claustrum
Internal Capsule
Corpus Callosum
Anterior Commissure
Lateral Ventricles
Interventricular Foramen

Diencephalon

Infundibulum
Optic Nerve (II)
Optic Chiasm
Mammillary bodies
Thalamus
Hypothalamus
Fornix
Mammillo-thalamic Tract
Third Ventricle

Mesencephalon (Midbrain)

Superior Colliculus
Inferior Colliculus
Cerebral Peduncles
Oculomotor Nerve (III)
Trochlear Nerve (IV)
Substantia Nigra
Central Gray
Red Nucleus
Crus Cerebri Cerebral Aqueduct

Metencephalon

Pons
Cerebellum
Trigeminal Nerve (V)
Abducens Nerve (VI)
Facial Nerve (VII)
Vestibulocochlear Nerve (VIII)
Pontine Nuclei
Deep Cerebellar Nuclei
Fornix
Mammillo-thalamic Tract
Fourth Ventricle

Myelencephalon

Medulla
Glossopharyngeal Nerve (IX)
Vagus Nerve (X)
Spinal Accessory Nerve (XI)
Hypoglossal Nerve (XII)
Inferior Olive Pyramids
Mammillo-thalamic Tract
Fourth Ventricle

Divisions of the Brain
External Landmarks	Internal Landmarks
		Major Nuclei	Major Fiber Tracts	Ventricles
Telencephalon	Gyri and sulci Olfactory Nerve (I)	Cerebral Cortex Amygdala Hippocampus Basal Ganglia Caudate nucleus Putamen Globus Pallidus Claustrum	Internal Capsule Corpus Callosum Anterior Commissure	Lateral Ventricles Interventricular Foramen
Diencephalon	Infundibulum Optic Nerve (II) Optic Chiasm Mammillary bodies	Thalamus Hypothalamus	Fornix Mammillo-thalamic Tract	Third Ventricle
Mesencephalon (Midbrain)	Superior Colliculus Inferior Colliculus Cerebral Peduncles Oculomotor Nerve (III) Trochlear Nerve (IV)	Substantia Nigra Central Gray Red Nucleus	Crus Cerebri	Cerebral Aqueduct
Metencephalon	Pons Cerebellum Trigeminal Nerve (V) Abducens Nerve (VI) Facial Nerve (VII) Vestibulocochlear Nerve (VIII)	Pontine Nuclei Deep Cerebellar Nuclei	Fornix Mammillo-thalamic Tract	Fourth Ventricle
Myelencephalon	Medulla Glossopharyngeal Nerve (IX) Vagus Nerve (X) Spinal Accessory Nerve (XI) Hypoglossal Nerve (XII)	Inferior Olive	Pyramids Mammillo-thalamic Tract	Fourth Ventricle

BACK TO: Exploring the Nervous System Table of Contents

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