The brain is divided into four primary parts: the right hemisphere (or half), the left hemisphere, the cerebellum and the brain stem. Each area within the brain has responsibility for a particular function or ability. The part of the brain affected by the ischemia or hemorrhage and how large the area is will depend on what functions are affected and how much of that function is affected
Right-Hemisphere Stroke
The right hemisphere of the brain controls
- Movement of the left side of the body damage causes weakness or paralysis, hemiplegia on the left side of the body
- Analytical and perceptual tasks, such as judging distance, size, speed or position
- Seeing how parts are connected to wholes
- Spatial and perceptual abilities
- Impulse control short term memory
Left-Hemisphere Stroke
The left hemisphere of the brain controls
- The movement of the right side of the body. A left-hemisphere stroke often causes paralysis, hemiplegia of the right side of the body
- Speech and language abilities for most people. People with left hemisphere strokes often have aphasia
- May develop a slow and cautious behavioral style
- Memory
Cerebellar Stroke
The cerebellum controls
- Reflexes
- Balance and coordination
- A stroke can cause abnormal reflexes of the head and torso, coordination and balance problems, dizziness, nausea and vomiting
Brain Stem Stroke
The brain stem is the area of the brain that controls all of our involuntary “life-support” functions, such as
- breathing rate, blood pressure and heartbeat
- Eye movements
- Hearing
- Speech
- Swallowing
- All impulses from both right and left brain's hemispheres must travel through the brain stem on their way to the arms and legs. Patients with a brain stem stroke may also develop paralysis in one or both sides of the body
To see an interactive 3D model of the Brain go to this site 3D Brain Anatomy from PBS
To learn more about the anatomy of stroke to to this site
Anatomy of Stroke
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