What is the largest part of the human brain?

The largest part of the human brain is the cerebrum.

The cerebrum consists of the left and right cerebral hemispheres and makes up most of the brain’s mass. Its outer layer, the cerebral cortex, is gray matter folded into ridges called gyri and grooves called sulci. These folds increase the cortex’s surface area within the skull.

The cerebrum supports conscious thought, memory, language, sensory perception, judgment, emotion, and voluntary movement. Each hemisphere is commonly divided into frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes, although those regions work together rather than operating as completely separate modules.

A frequent mix-up is treating the cerebrum and cerebral cortex as synonyms. The cortex is the cerebrum’s outer gray-matter layer; the cerebrum also includes underlying white matter and deeper structures such as the hippocampus and basal ganglia. The cerebellum coordinates balance and fine movement, while the brainstem helps control vital functions such as breathing and heart rate.