Overview of the Brain

Abstract This chapter provides a basic introduction to the human brain for lawyers, judges, and policymakers. It begins by highlighting a specific caution for non-scientists: although much has been discovered about human brain structure and function in the last several decades, much more remains unknown. The chapter emphasizes the hazards in overstating the relationship between specific brain structures and complex mental functions such as the kinds of intentions, memories, emotions, pains, and behaviors the law usually cares about. Having offered this caution, the chapter proceeds to describe the brain’s place in the nervous system and its gross anatomy. The importance of blood flow for the brain is explained. Along with a tutorial on vocabulary for describing locations on and in the brain, this chapter prepares the reader for the more in-depth information about the brain that is presented in subsequent chapters.