Although the brain weighs only three pounds (approximately), it contains many delicate and important structures within a very compact space. It is important for any attorney representing plaintiffs in traumatic brain injury cases to have knowledge of brain anatomy. This allows the attorney to understand how particular trauma is consistent with specific symptoms and side effects that the clients experience as a result of brain damage.
Premier California Brain Injury Attorneys
Winer, Burritt & Scott, LLP, is recognized throughout the California legal community as one of the state’s premier brain injury law firms. This reputation is based on our attorneys’ exhaustive knowledge of brain anatomy and the many successful results we have obtained for our clients. Our Oakland brain injuries lawyers have recovered more than $200 million for injured clients throughout the state, including many multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements in brain injury cases.
The anatomy described below represents just a fraction of our understanding of the composition and function of the brain and its various structures. Call us at (510) 433-1000 to speak with one of our attorneys and learn more.
Between The Skull And The Brain
There are membranes, referred to as the meninges, that are located between the skull and the hemispheres of the brain. The dura mater is the outermost membrane. It is made of a thick, elastic material that attaches to the skull. The dura mater forms the falx cerebri, which divides the hemispheres of the brain. The dura mater also creates the tentorium cerebelli, which divides parts of the cerebral hemispheres from the cerebellum. The arachnoid membrane and the pia mater lie between the dura mater and the actual hemispheres of the brain.
In addition to these membranes, there is cerebrospinal fluid located in between the skull and the hemispheres of the brain. Specifically, this fluid is located between the dura mater and the arachnoid membrane. It protects the brain by absorbing kinetic force when the head is forced into an immovable object or experiences rapid deceleration or acceleration.
Hemispheres Of The Brain
The brain is divided into two roughly symmetrical hemispheres, left and right. In the majority of brain injury cases, the assessment of brain damage is typically focused on the hemispheres. The hemispheres control functions such as:
- Memory
- Problem solving
- Intelligence
- Perception
- Language
- Social behavior
- Personality
- Emotion
- Judgment
Lobes Of The Brain | Berkeley Frontal Lobe Injury Lawyer
The right and left hemispheres of the brain are partitioned into four lobes:
- Frontal lobe: This lobe is responsible for functions such as organization, planning, execution, regulation of voluntary movement, initiation and execution. This is the largest lobe, taking up more than 40 percent of the brain.
- Parietal lobe: Bodily awareness, such as spatial sense and navigation, is controlled by this lobe.
- Occipital lobe: This lobe handles functions related to vision, image recognition and spatial recognition.
- Temporal lobe: The limbic system, which is responsible for much of a person’s emotional behavior, is located in the temporal lobe. This lobe also controls learning and retention of new information.
Contact Winer, Burritt & Scott, LLP
Call us for a free consultation at (510) 433-1000. Our representation is offered on a contingency fee basis, so you will never pay an attorney fee unless we are successful in obtaining compensation on your behalf.