The Brain

The human brain weighs approximately 1.4 kg (approximately four tubs of butter), is about the size of a grapefruit, is shaped like a walnut and can fit in the palm of your hand.

Though it weighs approximately 2 percent of your body weight, it consumes nearly 20% of our calories. Brain metabolism requires a large amount of energy.[youtube id=”XSzsI5aGcK4″]

Different parts of the brain have specific roles

Click on the link to check out an interactive website exploring the functions of the different sections of the brain. Click on medial (middle)

To identify parts of the brain from scans, click on the image above and it will take you to a website with MRI / PET scans of the brain. Under the each image there are some drop down menus. Try selecting the same structure in each view and then observe from the transaxial (from underneath), sagittal (side) and coronal (back). You may need to use the help link to learn how to navigate and use the website.