Healthy brain. Coloured Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan of a human brain, in side view. This is a sagittal 'slice' through the brain in profile. The face is illustrated at right. The brain is yellow & orange, with cranial spaces black. At top, the cerebrum of the brain appears folded; this is the region where intelligent thought processes and memory occur. At centre is the elongated brainstem which controls involuntary reflexes; it connects with the spinal cord. An MRI scan is obtained using a powerful magnet and radio waves. It enables structures in the brain to be seen, including brain tumours.