Which of the following lists the three major parts of the brain?

• A. Cerebrum, hypothalamus, cerebellum
• B. Cerebrum, brain stem, spinal cord
• C. Cerebrum, cerebellum, brain stem
• D. Cerebral cortex, limbic system, brain stem

Answer: (C)

Think of the brain as built from three major blocks. The cerebrum is the largest part and handles conscious thought, memory, sensory processing, and voluntary movement. The cerebellum sits at the back and beneath the cerebrum, coordinating movement, balance, and posture. The brain stem lies at the base, connecting the brain to the spinal cord and controlling essential life-sustaining functions like breathing, heart rate, and alertness. The spinal cord isn’t part of the brain itself, and while the limbic system and cerebral cortex are important, they aren’t one of the three broad divisions. So cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem together represent the three major parts of the brain.