The brain controls every aspect of the body. It sends signals through the nerves to certain parts of the body and makes them work. For example, a heart pumps blood throughout the body, without signals from the brain, a heart would not beat because nothing is telling it to beat.
The three main parts to the brain are the hindbrain, midbrain and forebrain. The cerebellum, pons and medulla are located in the hindbrain and are sometimes referred to as the brainstem. The tectum and tegmentum are located in the midbrain. The cerebrum, thalamus and hypothalamus are parts of the forebrain.
The brain is the control center of the central nervous system. This system consists of many parts, including the brain, spinal cord, nerves and nerve endings.
The weight of the average human brain is about three pounds and represents around 2 percent of a person's total body weight. About 20 percent of oxygen taken in by the body is used by the brain. An average human brain is made up of around 75 percent water.
Since the brain controls all functions of the body, it must be kept healthy and in proper working order. Any problems with the brain can cause problems with other parts of the body. For example, damage to the brain stem can result in major breathing problems because the brain stem controls breathing.