This article answers the question “What part of the brain controls artistic and mathematical abilities?” The article will also cover information on the cerebrum, the brainstem, the cerebellum, the cranial nerves, left and right hemispheres of the brain and their functions in detail. The article also addresses some frequently asked questions about the brain in the end.
What part of the brain controls artistic and mathematical abilities?
The cerebrum is responsible for controlling artistic and mathematical abilities. The cerebrum is composed of the right and the left cerebral hemispheres. It is believed that the hemispheres are tied down at the bottom and have multiple connections running within them (Clements, 2004).
It is also suggested that the right cerebral hemisphere is responsible for the movement and functions of the left side of the body. The left cerebral hemisphere is responsible for overlooking the functions of the right side of the body.
The right cerebral hemisphere is in control of one’s artistic and creative abilities, while the left hemisphere is in control of logic and rational thinking.
The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain and is located in the front. It is responsible for movement, maintaining the temperature of the body, sense of touch, vision, and hearing. It is also involved in judgement, reasoning, problem-solving, emotions, and learning.
The cerebral cortex is responsible for thinking and consciousness. Humans have a larger cerebral cortex compared to others. The cerebral cortex is the outer brake-like layer of the brain and allows individuals to use complex skills, live in social settings, use language as well as create tools (Gibson, 2002).
Corticalization is known as the folding of the cerebral cortex. Compared to other animals, humans have a wrinkled and folded cerebral cortex, this creates a greater size and surface area, which allows for enhanced learning, thinking and remembering.
Each hemisphere of the cerebral cortex is divided into two hemispheres and subdivided into four lobes, each of them is separated by folds known as fissures.
The frontal lobe is responsible for memory, thinking, judgement, and planning, this starts from the front of the brain and moves over the top in the cortex.
The parietal lobe follows the frontal lobe, this part of the brain extends from the midsection of the skull. This is primarily responsible for processing information about sensations such as touch.
At the back of the skull comes the occipital lobe, which is responsible for processing visual information. The temporal lobe is located right in front of the occipital lobe, this section of the brain is responsible for language and hearing.
The brain is further divided into four lobes (Casillo et al., 2020):
The Frontal Lobe
The frontal lobe is in charge of problem-solving, judgment, decision-making, and motor functions (Stuss & Alexander, 2000).
The Parietal Lobes
The parietal lobes handle sensation, handwriting, as well as the position of the body.
The Temporal Lobes
The temporal lobes are responsible for memory and hearing.
The Occipital Lobes
The occipital lobes include the visual processing system of the brain.
The Brainstem
The innermost region of the brain is called the brain stem. This is also the oldest part of the brain. The medulla, the area of the brainstem that controls breathing and heart rate
The role of the brain stem is to control basic functions like a motor response, breathing and basic attention. It begins where the spinal cord enters the skull and forms the medulla.
The medulla is the area of the brainstem that controls breathing and heart rate. Many times the medulla is enough to sustain life. In animals that have parts of the brain severed they are still able to move, eat and breathe.
The structure of the brainstem that helps control several movements such as balance and walking is a spherical shape right above the medulla and is called the pons.
The brainstem controls the important bodily functions of breathing, consciousness, cardiac functioning, automatic muscle movements, the function of swallowing, movement of the eyes and mouth, processing sensory information, and hunger drive.
The Cerebellum
The cerebellum is also known as the little brain and consists of two wrinkled ovals which are located behind the brain stem. The function of the cerebellum is to coordinate movement which is voluntary. Damage to this region leads to dis-regulation in walking, balance and holding hands steadily.
The cerebellum helps in distinguishing between various sounds, and helps in learning and regulating emotional responses. (Bower & Parsons, 2003). Alcohol consumption influences the cerebellum, hence it is difficult to coordinate movements, under the influence of alcohol.
The limbic system consists of the amygdala, the hypothalamus, and the hippocampus. It is largely responsible for memory and emotions. It is located between two cerebellar hemispheres and the brain stem.
Other Important Parts of the Brain
Ventricular System
The brain is not an organ that is solid in nature, it is instead full of cavities filled with fluids known as ventricles. These ventricles are responsible for giving the brain nourishment. This system of the brain is responsible for producing as well as processing cerebrospinal fluid. This cerebrospinal fluid is a clear water-like substance which flows around the brain in order to protect it.
Cranial Nerves
The brain also has 12 pairs of cranial nerves, each of them responsible for controlling specific bodily functions.
Functions of the left and right hemispheres
The brain has two hemispheres, the right and the left. Both hemispheres specialise in several distinct functions (Kosslyn et al., 1995). We highlight the same below.
Right Hemisphere
The right hemisphere controls the left side of the body. It is responsible for the artistic and creative functions of the brain. In general, it controls our awareness of art, creative thinking, imagination, intuitive thoughts, insight, spatial reasoning, awareness of music, holistic thinking, interpretation of 3D objects, and control over the left hand.
Left Hemisphere
The left hemisphere of the cerebrum is responsible for controlling the right side of the body. It is logical and rational, and more academic-oriented. It is responsible for logic, language, reasoning, processing of science and math, writing, and right-hand control.
Information About the Human Brain
The brain is comprised of well-specialised areas which work together in unison:
- The cortex is in charge of thinking and voluntary movements and is situated in the outermost layer of the brain.
- The brainstem is situated between the spinal cord and the brain. It is responsible for the functions of breathing and sleep.
- The basal ganglia situated in the centre of the brain is responsible for the coordination of messages between several parts of the brain.
- The cerebellum is situated at the base and the back of the brain and is in charge of coordination and balance (Strick et al., 2009).
Conclusion
This article answered the question “What part of the brain controls artistic and mathematical abilities?” The article also covered information on the cerebrum, the brainstem, the cerebellum, the cranial nerves, left and right hemispheres of the brain and their functions in detail. The article also addresses some frequently asked questions about the brain in the end.
Frequently Asked Questions: What part of the brain controls artistic and mathematical abilities?
What can damage the amygdala?
Amygdala can be damaged as a result of temporal lobectomy or amygdalohippocampectomy which is a part of the surgical treatment of intractable epilepsy.
What are brains made up of?
Soft tissue, including the grey matter, white matter, nerve cells, and non-neuronal cells make up the brain. The brain also includes small blood vessels. Brains also have high water content and nearly 60% of fat.
Are all human behaviours controlled by the brain?
It is most likely that our behaviours result from a complex interplay between each of our genetic make-up, brain chemistry and functioning and the economic, social and psychological environments in which we grew up and live.
What part of the brain controls behaviour and personality?
Prefrontal Cortex – The term prefrontal cortex refers to the very front part of the brain located behind the forehead and above the eyes. It appears to play a critical role in the regulation of emotion and behaviour by anticipating the consequences of our actions and inhibiting behaviours.
References
Clements, D. H. (2004). Geometric and spatial thinking in early childhood education. Engaging young children in mathematics: Standards for early childhood mathematics education, 267-297.
Kosslyn, S. M., Maljkovic, V., Hamilton, S. E., Horwitz, G., & Thompson, W. L. (1995). Two types of image generation: Evidence for left and right hemisphere processes. Neuropsychologia, 33(11), 1485-1510.
