Question

Draw a neat labelled diagram of the sagittal section of the brain.

Answer 1

Hint: Sagittal plane is also known as longitudinal plane. It divides any object into left and right parts. The sagittal plane divides our body into two equal halves and the symmetry produced as a result is bilateral symmetry. The brain when cut through the sagittal plane shows left and right hemispheres and the associated parts.

Complete step by step answer: The brain is divided into the forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain. In the sagittal section, the major parts of the brain that are visible are – the cerebrum, cerebellum and the brain stem.
Cerebrum is the largest part of the brain. It is also the uppermost region. Along the midsagittal plane, cerebrum can be divided into left and right cerebral hemispheres. The cerebrum, in humans, is composed of grey matter and white matter. The organization of the cerebral hemispheres is contralateral, that is the left hemisphere controls the right side of the body while the right hemisphere controls the left side. The cerebrum serves to control communication, hearing, vision, memory, judgement, personality and motor activities of the body.
Cerebellum is a part of the hindbrain. It is located below the cerebral hemispheres and separated from it by the dura mater. The cerebellum is composed of two hemispheres and filled with gray matter in the cortex and white matter in the central region. This region of the brain functions to control cognitive activities, and movement of the body. It helps to maintain equilibrium, posture and motor functions.
Brainstem comprises the midbrain, pons and medulla oblongata. The brainstem continues as the spinal cord. Cranial nerves arise from the brain stem and thereby, it serves as a pathway of sensory and motor signals to and from the brain to the other parts of the body. The brainstem is also known to regulate the cardiac and respiratory cycles along with the sleep-wake cycle.
The sagittal section of the human brain can be illustrated with the following diagram:

Fig 1: Sagittal section of Human brain

Note: The sagittal plane divides the brain into left and right hemispheres. The main components of the sagittal view of the brain are cerebellum, cerebrum and the brain stem. These structures function to control motor, cognitive and sensory activities of the body.