How The Brain Works

Find out which parts of the brain handles which functions, and, for some, when during a person's life these areas are wired.

What Part Of The Brain Controls Movement, Touch?

The Motor Association Cortex area controls coordination of complex movement. The Primary Motor Cortex area controls initiation of voluntary movement. The Primary Somatosensory Cortex area receives tactile information from the body. The Sensory Association area controls the processing of multisensory information.

What Controls Creativity And Problem Solving?

The Corpus Callosum is a rope of nerves that connect the two hemispheres of the brain. Scientists believe it is linked to creativity and problem solving and that it develops greatly through the teen years.

What Controls Vision?

The Visual Association Area controls complex processing of visual information. The Visual Cortex controls detection of simple stimuli.

What Controls Coordination?

The Cerebellum is the area helps control balance and motor coordination and the coordination of thinking processes. This area undergoes great change and growth during the teenage years.

What Controls Hearing?

The Auditory Association area and the Auditory Cortex controls complex processing of auditory information. The Auditory Cortex detects sound quality.

What Controls Impulses?

The Prefrontal Cortex area controls the "executive functions" of the brain including judgment, impulse control, management of aggression, emotional regulation, self regulation, planning, reasoning and social skills. This area has a blossoming period around the age of 12, followed by a period of pruning through adolescence.

To Learn More About The Brain:

• Click here for a CBSNews.com interactive about teen brains.

• You can read more about mapping the brain at WebMD.