Your brain and how it works
The brain is the organ that processes information, controls bodily functions, and enables thought, emotion, and movement.
About the brain
The brain is divided into the left and right hemispheres. Each hemisphere is divided into different regions that are responsible for controlling different functions:
- Frontal lobe
- Parietal
- Occipital
- Temporal
- Cerebellum
- Brainstem
The brain receives blood, glucose (sugar), nutrients and oxygen through blood vessels called arteries.
Internal carotid arteries (ICA)
Supply the anterior (front) part of the brain, including the frontal, parietal and temporal lobes.
- Anterior cerebral artery (ACA) – supplies the medial (middle) part of the frontal lobes and parietal lobes
- Middle cerebral artery (MCA) – supplies the lateral (side) surface of the cerebra hemisphere and parts of the frontal, parietal and temporal lobes
- Opthalmic artery – supplies the eyes
Vertebral arteries
Basilar artery – supplies the posterior (back) part of the brain, including the occipital lobes, cerebellum, brain stem.
- Posterior cerebral arteries (PCA) – supplies the occipital lobes and parts of the temporal lobes
- Cerebellar arteries – supplies the cerebellum and parts of the brainstem
The Circle of Willis
The Circle of Willis is an arterial structure that is located at the base of the brain. It connects the branches of the internal and vertebral arteries together. If one artery becomes blocked or narrowed, the Circle of Willis can help ensure continued blood flow to parts of the brain by rerouting the blood supply. We call this collateral circulation.