Brain and nerves

Martina Feichter studied biology with an elective subject pharmacy in Innsbruck and also immersed herself in the world of medicinal plants. From there it was not far to other medical topics that still captivate her to this day. She trained as a journalist at the Axel Springer Academy in Hamburg and has been working for since 2007 - first as an editor and since 2012 as a freelance writer.

More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.

Around 100 billion nerve cells (neurons) unite in the skull to form the control center of the body, the brain. It weighs around 1.5 kilograms, most of which is attributable to the cerebrum: with its folds and furrows, it resembles a walnut kernel and, like this one, consists of two halves. They are connected by a thick nerve cord. In women, this so-called bar is larger than in men - the hemispheres of the brain are therefore more closely linked. The female gender can therefore listen and communicate better. A particularly important part of the cerebrum is the cerebral cortex, the seat of consciousness. Here we hear, see, feel, learn, think, plan and calculate.

The cerebellum, on the other hand, has the task of coordinating all movements. For example, it ensures that we can cut open the schnitzel with a knife and fork or, while cycling, simultaneously step on the pedals and turn the handlebars in the desired direction.

The brain stem is the oldest part of the brain and controls all vital functions such as heartbeat, blood pressure and breathing. But the brain stem is also responsible for everyday reflexes such as sneezing, swallowing and blinking. It is made up of the bridge, midbrain and posterior brain. The latter is also known as the elongated spinal cord. The brain stem is the connection point between the higher lying areas of the brain and the spinal cord, i.e. the thick strand of nerve tracts that runs from the head into the spine.

The diencephalon, consisting of the thalamus and hypothalamus, is the filter that precedes consciousness. Countless sensory stimuli from the outside and inside world flow into our brain every second. Consciously registering them all would be impossible. The diencephalon filters out the information it considers important and forwards it to the cerebrum and thus to our consciousness. For example, we perceive the itchy mosquito bite on our skin and the voices and images from the television. The fact that the picture on the wall behind the TV is crooked, the refrigerator is buzzing and the T-shirt feels pleasantly smooth on the skin escapes our awareness - unless we specifically draw our attention to it.

The hypothalamus also has another function, namely as a control center for our emotions. With the help of the body's most important hormonal gland, the pituitary gland, it controls the hormonal balance and, for example, the feeling of hunger, sleep, body temperature and the desire for sex.

Diseases of the brain and nerves

The most important injuries and conditions that can affect the brain and / or nerves include:

concussion
traumatic brain injury
Inflammation of the brain (encephalitis)
Meningitis
stroke
Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia
Parkinson's
multiple sclerosis
Shingles
ADHD
Trigeminal neuralgia
Chorea huntington
Brain tumor

Symptoms affecting the brain and nerves

Damage and diseases of the brain and nerves can trigger various ailments, such as:

Gait disorders
Sensory disturbances
Taste disorders
Hearing loss
impotence
Paralysis
Back pain
Difficulty swallowing
Pain in your arms or legs
Vertigo (such as vertigo, vertigo)
Visual disturbances
Speech disorders
forgetfulness
confusion
Tremble
Twitching / convulsions

The cause of such symptoms is not always found in the nervous system. Often there are also completely different triggers behind it. Hearing loss, for example, can be the result of damage to the auditory nerve as well as an eardrum injury, otitis media or the use of certain medications.