Cerebrum

The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain and is responsible for all voluntary activities of the body. It is the substances can move readily between the inside and the outside of the vessel. In the brain, however, the endothelial cells fit tightly together and substances cannot pass out of the bloodstream.

The functions of the BBB are to protect the brain from "foreign substances" in the blood that may injure the brain and to protect it from the hormones and neurotransmitters in the rest of the body. The BBB also maintains a constant environment for the brain.

Various conditions can cause a breakdown in the function of the BBB. These conditions are as follows:

• Hypertension (high blood pressure).
• Incomplete development of the BBB at birth.
• High concentrations of certain substances in the blood.
• Exposure to microwaves.
• Exposure to radiation.
• Infection.
• Trauma or injury to the brain.

The cerebrum is the functional area of language, personality, vision, memory, emotion, problem solving, initiative, inhibition, sense of smell, generalized and mass movements, motor skills, physical reaction, and libido (sexual urges).

The cerebrum is divided into two hemispheres, the left hemisphere and the right hemisphere. The three main areas of the brain are the cerebrum, the cerebellum, and the brain stem. Each region performs specific functions. The cerebrum, which includes the cerebral cortex, controls conscious activities, the cerebellum coordinates muscle movements, and the brain stem is responsible for vital body processes.

Sense of identity
Researchers have discovered that each side of the brain (hemisphere) is associated with different abilities.

Right Hemisphere Controls the left side of the body Creativity and artistic ability Left Hemisphere (the analytical hemisphere) Controls the right side of the body Produce and understand language Analytical and mathematical ability Finally, the cerebrum consists of two types of surfaces, an outer and an inner surface. The outer surface is called the cerebral cortex and consists of layers of neurons without myelin (fatty insulation). These layers appear to be gray in color and are therefore referred to as "gray matter". The inner surface is called the cerebral medulla, which consists of layers of myelinated neurons. The myelin is white and therefore these inner layers are referred to as "white matter".