Brain Labeled Diagram

The human brain is divided into regions with different jobs. This labeled diagram shows the left side of the brain with its four lobes, the cerebellum and brainstem, the strips of motor and sensory cortex, and the two classic language areas. Click any region to see what it does, switch off the labels to test yourself, or try the quizzes — then print a labeled or blank copy.

Parts of the brain and what they do

The cerebrum and its four lobes

The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain, split into left and right hemispheres joined by a thick band of nerve fibres, the corpus callosum. Its wrinkled outer layer, the cerebral cortex, is only 2–4 mm thick but folded into ridges (gyri) and grooves (sulci) that pack a large surface into the skull. Two deep grooves divide each hemisphere into lobes: the central sulcus separates the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe, and the lateral sulcus separates the temporal lobe below. The occipital lobe sits at the back.

Left and right: crossed control

Each hemisphere mainly controls and senses the opposite side of the body — the left motor cortex moves the right hand. The two hemispheres also specialise to some degree: in most people, language areas such as Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas are in the left hemisphere, while the right hemisphere plays a larger part in some aspects of spatial attention and recognising faces. The popular idea of “left-brained” and “right-brained” personalities isn’t supported by research; both hemispheres work together in almost everything we do.

How to use the interactive diagram

1. Start in Labeled mode and click each region to read what it does.
2. Switch to Numbered mode to hide the names — print it as a worksheet.
3. In “Spot the region”, one area is highlighted and you pick its name.
4. In the function quiz, you read a description and choose the matching part.
5. Print the labeled or numbered diagram for revision.

Worked example: tracing a sentence

Hearing a friend ask “Can you pass the salt?” involves several regions. The sound is processed first in the auditory cortex of the temporal lobe; Wernicke’s area helps interpret the meaning. Deciding to respond involves the frontal lobe, and Broca’s area helps form the words “Here you are.” To reach for the salt, the motor cortex sends signals to the arm while the parietal lobe tracks where the salt and your hand are, the occipital lobe processes what you see, and the cerebellum makes the movement smooth and accurate. The brainstem keeps you breathing throughout.

Motor and sensory maps

The motor cortex and somatosensory cortex each contain a map of the body, often drawn as a distorted figure called a homunculus. Parts of the body with fine control or sensitivity — the hands, lips and tongue — have much larger areas of cortex than the back or legs. This is why a small injury in one part of the motor cortex may affect the hand while leaving the leg unaffected.

What the diagram simplifies

This is a simplified side view. Real brains vary in shape, and many important structures are hidden inside or seen only from the middle: the corpus callosum, thalamus, hypothalamus, hippocampus, amygdala and the limbic system. Brain functions are also far more connected than a map of regions suggests — most tasks involve networks spread across several areas. Use the diagram to learn the main landmarks.

Memory tips

• Frontal = Future planning and Fine decisions.
• Parietal = Position and Physical sensation.
• Temporal = Talk (understanding) and Tunes (hearing), at the Temples.
• Occipital = Optics — vision at the back.
• Cerebellum = balance, like a little gyroscope under the back of the brain.