Britannica Sources used in this answer

Which four lobes divide each cerebral hemisphere?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Diagram of a human figure showing the full nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and branching peripheral nerves throughout the body, with labels for each part. — human nervous system The conduction of electrochemical stimuli from sensory receptors in the human nervous system occurs via organized groups of specialized cells, consisting largely of neurons, various neural support cells, and tracts of nerve fibers.

Each cerebral hemisphere is divided into four primary lobes, which are distinguished by major sulci (furrows) on the surface of the brain. These four lobes are:12

Frontal lobe: Located rostral to the central sulcus, this is the largest lobe and contains the primary motor region.2
Parietal lobe: Situated posterior to the central sulcus, this lobe is primarily involved in processing sensory input.2
Temporal lobe: Found inferior to the lateral sulcus, this area is associated with functions such as hearing and olfaction.2
Occipital lobe: Positioned at the back of the brain, this lobe is primarily responsible for visual processing.12

While these four are the standard divisions, it is worth noting that other structures, such as the insular lobe and the limbic lobe, are also identified within the anatomy of the cerebral hemispheres, though they are not always categorized among the primary four surface lobes.2