The hypothalamus (part of the diencephalon) is responsible for maintaining the sleep-wake cycle and regulating the "biological clock". These are set by a specific nuclei located in the hypothalamus, the suprachiasmatic nucleus. The thalamus is also part of the diencephalon but is primarily involved in relaying sensory and motor signals through the cerebral cortex. The thyroid is an endocrine gland which secretes thyroid hormones that regulate metabolism, growth and development, and temperature. The cerebellum coordinates muscle activity and the basal ganglia aids in coordinating movement. The epithalamus contains the pineal gland, which may play a role in the sleep-wake-cycle (circadian rhythm) via the hormone melatonin.

The cerebellum plays an important role in motor control.  The cerebellum does not initiate movement, but it is important in coordination, precision, and accurate timing of movements. The cerebellum receives and integrates input from the sensory systems from the spinal cord and other parts of the brain to fine tune motor activity.

The parietal lobe is important in sensory integration, visuaospatial processing, and the manipulation of objects. The frontal lobe is responsible for conscious thought and executive functioning; damage to the lobe can result in mood and personality changes. The occipital lobe is responsible for sight; damage to the area can produce hallucinations and blindness. The temporal lobe is involved in the sense of smell and sound, it also plays a role in processing complex stimuli such as faces and scenes and memory. 

The brainstem consists of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata. The brainstem continues inferiorly to become the spinal cord. The brainstem is responsible for basic living functions, including but not limited to: respiration, circulation (including heart rate), and digestion. As such, any injury to the brainstem would be catastrophic. Additionally ten of twelve cranial nerves pass through the brainstem, going on to provide the face and neck with motor and sensory functions. Furthermore, nerve conduction of the motor and sensory systems of the brain and body pass through the brain stem including the corticospinal tract (involved in motor activity), the posterior column-medial lemniscus pathway (involved in fine touch, vibration sensation, and proprioception), and the spinothalamic tract (involved in pain, temperature, itch, and crude touch).

The cerebrum consists of four lobes: the frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital. Some sources also include the limbic lobe (responsible for emotion and memory) and the insular cortex (responsible for pain). The frontal lobe is responsible for conscious thought and executive functioning; damage to the lobe can result in mood and personality changes. The parietal lobe is important in sensory integration, in visuaospatial processing, and the manipulation of objects. The occipital lobe is responsible for sight; damage to the area can produce hallucinations and blindness. The temporal lobe is involved in the sense of smell and sound, memory, and it also plays a role in processing complex stimuli such as faces and scenes. 

The cerebellum is responsible for coordinated body movements and muscle memory. The brainstem allows for breathing, circulation, heart rate, and digestion.

The cerebrum consists of four lobes: the frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital. Some sources also include the limbic lobe (responsible for emotion and memory) and the insular cortex (responsible for pain). The parietal lobe is important in sensory integration, visuaospatial processing, and the manipulation of objects. The frontal lobe is responsible for conscious thought and executive functioning; damage to the lobe can result in mood and personality changes. The occipital lobe is responsible for sight; damage to the area can produce hallucinations and blindness. The temporal lobe is involved in the sense of smell and sound, it also plays a role in processing complex stimuli such as faces and scenes and memory. 

CSF is a clear, colorless body fluid found in the subarachnoid space of the brain and spine that acts as a cushion for the brain. In addition to mechanical protection, CSF also provides immunological protection to the brain. CSF is made in the choroid plexus of the brain’s ventricles. Approximately 500 mL of CSF are made daily, however due to constant reabsorption, only about 100-160 mL are present at a given moment. 

CSF is a clear, colorless body fluid found in the subarachnoid space of the brain and spine that acts as a cushion for the brain. In addition to mechanical protection, CSF also provides immunological protection to the brain. CSF is made in the choroid plexus of the brain’s ventricles. Approximately 500 mL of CSF are made daily, however due to constant reabsorption, only about 100-160 mL are present at a given moment. 

CSF is returned to the vascular system by entering the dural venous sinuses through arachnoid granulations. Some have suggested that CSF flows along the cranial nerves and spinal nerves into lymphatic channels.

The hypothalamus is located below the thalamus, just above the brainstem and controls body temperature, hunger, thirst, fatigue, and circadian rhythms.

The thalamus can be thought of as a relay station for sensory and motor signals to and from the cerebral cortex. The brainstem is responsible for breathing, circulation, and digestion. The cerebellum plays an important role in coordination of body movements and muscle memory.

The basal nuclei is located deep in the cerebral hemisphere and midbrain. It functions with the thalamus to regulate motor signals (regulation only, it does not initiate movement). The basal nuclei encourages wanted and appropriate movement signals and filters out unwanted signals. The caudate nucleus and putamen make up the striatum, and this along with globus pallidus make up the basal nuclei. 

The meninges are responsible for protecting the brain and spinal cord. The tough dura mater is the outermost layer of the meninges, while the pia mater is the delicate inner layer that lines the brain and spinal cord.

In order from the outermost to innermost layer, the meninges are: dura mater, arachnoid mater, subarachnoid space, and pia mater. The arachnoid mater and subarachnoid space create separation and cushioning between the dura mater and pia mater.