01 / Location & anatomical relationships
The large upper part of the brain.
02 / Structure & organization
Two cerebral hemispheres contain a folded cortex, underlying white matter and deep nuclei. Major lobes are named frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital; the insula lies deeper within the lateral sulcus.
03 / Function
It helps with thinking, memory, senses and voluntary movements.
04 / Mechanism
Its folded outer layer is called the cerebral cortex. Different areas process sensory information and help plan actions, while deeper structures contribute to memory and movement. The left and right hemispheres communicate through bundles of nerve fibers.
Part of a bigger picture
The cerebrum belongs in our brain & senses collection. Explore the nearby parts to see how this area of the body fits together.
Explore brain & senses →FOR DEEPER STUDY
Connect structure with function
Functional areas interact through association, commissural and projection fibers. The corpus callosum is a major connection between hemispheres, not a separate thinking organ.
Check your understanding
Locate the cerebrum in relation to its neighbors. Explain how the structural features described above support its function, then distinguish it from a nearby structure with a different role.
Keep learning
Further reading: NINDS: Know Your Brain.
Continue with OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology for system-level study. This atlas is educational and has not undergone independent medical peer review.