Basic Brain Information

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) – even mild brain injuries like concussions – can cause long-term effects and permanent damage. To understand why TBIs are so serious, it’s important to know some basic information about the brain and how it functions.

The brain is a soft and squishy organ made up of nerve cells called neurons. These neurons form tracts – almost like highways – that carry messages to different parts of the brain, which control certain movements or actions. They also work together to control more complex functions, such as speech, the five senses, personality, thought processing, breathing, heart rate, and more.

The brain is divided into sections, called lobes. The lobes include:

• Frontal Lobe – controls functions like organization, personality, emotions, problem-solving skills, judgment, inhibition of behavior, etc.
• Temporal Lobe – controls functions like memory, hearing, sequencing, and understanding language, etc.
• Parietal Lobe – controls functions like sense of touch, visual perception, identification of size, shapes, and colors, etc.
• Occipital Lobe – controls vision
• Cerebellum – controls coordination, balance, visual perception, and motor activities
• Brain Stem – controls functions such as breathing, sleep and wake cycles, heart rate, attention and concentration, arousal, etc.

The brain also has two sides – the left and the right side. Each is responsible for different functions as well.

You may hear people talk about when a person is left- or right-brained. They’re talking about which side of the brain is dominant. Typically, most people have one side that is more noticeable in their personality.

Because the brain is so critical to our survival, it is enclosed inside a bone structure called the skull. The skull protects the brain from injury unless a traumatic event occurs, like a car accident or a concussion sustained while playing a sport.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

When a traumatic brain injury occurs, the neurons or nerve tracts can be affected. If that happens, they may not function correctly, and ultimately affect the body’s ability to work corectly. Damaged neurons or neuron tracts can cause impairment or a complete inability to do a particular function.

Brain injuries that affect the left side of the brain can cause:

• Impaired logic
• Decreased control over left-sided body movements
• Difficulties speaking and understanding language
• Depression or anxiety
• Problems remembering verbally

TBIs that affect the right side of the brain can cause:

• Problems remembering visually
• Loss of the “big picture” type of thinking
• Decreased control over right-sided body movements
• Visual-spatial impairment

Injuries throughout both sides of the brain (called a diffuse brain injury) can cause:

• Confusion
• Problems thinking and concentrating
• Fatigue
• Cognitive impairment

TBI Victims – Learn More and Get a Free Legal Evaluation

If you, or someone you love, suffer a TBI, life may change forever. No two traumatic brain injuries are the same. Read more about brain injuries:

• Diagnosing a Traumatic Brain Injury
• Recovering from a Traumatic Brain Injury
• Brain Injuries and Dementia
• Sports and TBIs
• Hiring a Lawyer for a Traumatic Brain Injury

You need to protect your legal rights now. Call 1-866-9-4EDGAR (1-866-943-3427), or fill out the form at the top right of this webpage to get started. We offer a free legal evaluation, with no strings attached. You’re not obligated to use our services, and we’ll tell you if we think you have a case. Contact us today.