Brain and spinal cord, historical artwork. The largest part of the brain is the cerebrum (folded, upper centre). This controls conscious thought, emotions and memory. At centre left is the smaller, more highly-folded cerebellum, which controls balance and posture. The brain is linked to the rest of the body by the brainstem (just right of cerebellum) and the spinal cord (down centre). The brainstem controls involuntary functions such as breathing. The brain is protected by the skull, while the spinal cord is enclosed and protected by the block-like vertebrae of the backbone.