Major Parts of the Brain
The neural control of aggression is hierchical; the midbrain and brainstem program the muscular movements but they are controlled by another structure, which is controlled by another structure, and so on.
The cerebral cortex is the outermost covering of the brian and is what makes human beings what they are. Within this cover lies human consciousness, sensory capacities, motor skills, reasoning and imagination, and language.
The cerebellum, the structure at the back of the brain which looks like a cabbage, is primarily concerned with the regulation of motor coordination.
The brainstem, consisting of the medulla and pons, is the center for respiration, heart action, gastrointestinal function, and feeding behavior. It is the upper continuation of the spinal cord into the brian.
The midbrain contains some auditory and visual information and is involved in the control of movement. It is the most upper continuation of the brainstem which maintains the rod-like shape of the spinal cord.
The thalamus is a relay system for information; it "passes" through here and projects it to its destinations, such as the cerebral cortex. It is located right above the midbrain.
The hypothalamus interconnects many regions of the brain. Together with the pituitary gland, it forms a master control system for the release of hormones. It also seems to be a master control center for emotion. This structure is located at the junction between the thalamus and the midbrain.
The limbic system, consisting of the amygdala, the hippocampus, the hypothalamus, and the septal area, forms major connections with the hypothalamus. The primary function of the amygdala is emotion; the primary function of the hippocampus and fornix are learning and memory. This group of structures is located in the middle region of the brain.
The basal ganglia are a group of structures also involved with the control of movement. The basal ganglia is also located in the middle region of the brain.