We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Are the Functions of the Hindbrain?

By Michael Smathers
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 58,417
Share

The human brain controls all the functions of thought, memory, sensory input and vital bodily functions. A common misconception is that humans use only ten percent of their total brain capacity, but in fact a majority of brain processing power is used in the hindbrain rather than the cerebrum responsible for conscious thought and decision-making. The functions of the hindbrain cover the primitive instincts and vital bodily functions such as heartbeat, breathing and digestion. Also called the rhombencephelon, the hindbrain consists of the pons, the cerebellum and the medulla oblongata.

Most functions of the hindbrain revolve around vital bodily processes, and are governed by the medulla oblongata. This part of the brain is located at the base of the skull just above the spinal column and below the cerebellum. It governs the expansion and contraction of the diaphragm and lungs, the function of the heart and the dilation/contraction of blood vessels by working with the hypothalamus to ensure homeostasis is maintained. The hindbrain also controls involuntary digestive and respiratory reflexes such as vomiting, coughing, swallowing and sneezing to expel dust and other foreign particles from the body.

Just above the medulla oblongata is the pons, which acts as a link to the cerebellum. Sexual arousal, sensory analysis and motor control occur in the pons; auditory input in particular first makes contact with the pons. The sensation of equilibrium or lack thereof is governed by two fluid sacs, one in each inner ear. One of the most important functions of the pons is the sleep paralysis reflex; it prevents movement during sleep and stops potentially dangerous sleepwalking. The left and right hemispheres of the brain also connect through the pons in addition to their connection through the corpus callosum.

The other functions of the hindbrain are controlled by the cerebellum, its largest portion. Chiefly, the cerebellum is responsible for muscle tone, coordination and fine motor control, such as finger movement. The occipital lobe and the rest of the cerebrum work with the cerebellum to provide humans with hand-eye coordination skills. Emotions and the associated physical stimuli such as increased heart rate are under the control of the cerebellum, as is long-term and short-term memory.

Functions of the hindbrain are possible because of the wrinkled surface of the cerebellum. The more wrinkles or folds there are on the cerebellum, the more developed the associated neural network is. Although new neurons rarely are created after adolescence, new neural connections constantly form.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By fBoyle — On Mar 19, 2013

@turkay1-- My sister suffers from sleepwalking. As far as I know, when we sleep, our hindbrain "turns off" our ability for physical movement. In people who sleepwalk, this never gets turned off and they are able to move even though they are asleep. It has to do with the mechanism never fully developing in childhood or not working as well as it used to over time.

However there are some supplements like GABA (a type of amino acid) that help with this mechanism. My sister has been experiencing less instances of sleepwalking since she started taking it.

By candyquilt — On Mar 18, 2013

Is sleepwalking a result of a problem in the hindbrain?

Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-the-functions-of-the-hindbrain.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.