Brain Stem
Brain Stem
Brain Stem
The brain stem is the stem-like part of the base of the brain that is connected
to the spinal cord.
The brain stem controls the flow of messages between the brain and the rest of
the body, and it also controls basic body functions such as breathing,
swallowing, heart rate, blood pressure, consciousness, and whether one is
awake or sleepy.
Brain stem
Midbrain
Pons
Medulla Oblongata
Midbrain
The midbrain, also called the mesencephalon, is a small region of the brain
that serves as a relay center for visual, auditory, and motor system
information.
It regulates autonomic functions, those that the body carries out without
conscious thought, such as digestion, heart rate, and breathing rate.
Pons
A major structure in the upper part of the brain stem is called the pons. The
pons has two over-arching roles. The first is the regulation of breathing. In the
pons, there is a structure called the pneumotaxic center. It controls the
amount of air breathed and breaths per minute, which is known as the
breathing rate.
Medulla Oblongata
Involuntary Functions
Breathing
Heart Rate
Swallowing
Reflexes to seeing and hearing
Startle Response
Autonomic Nervous System
Sweating
Blood Pressure
Digestion
Temperature
Affects level of alertness
Ability to sleep
Vestibular Function
Sense of balance
Observed Problems
The brain stem contains the fibers which connect the brain to the spinal cord
and cerebellum. Strokes within the brain stem may be localized by the pattern
of deficits caused by the interruption of these nerves.
Locked-in Syndrome
Communication
A stroke affecting the brain stem is potentially life threatening since this area of
the brain controls functions such as breathing and instructing the heart to
beat. Brain stem stroke may also cause double vision, nausea and loss of
coordination.
Thalamus
The thalamus is a small structure within the brain located just above the brain
stem between the cerebral cortex and the midbrain and has extensive nerve
connections to both.
Cranial Nerves
The cranial nerves are composed of twelve pairs of nerves that emanate from
the nervous tissue of the brain.
The function of the cranial nerves is for the most part similar to the spinal
nerves, the nerves that are associated with the spinal cord. Apart from sensory
functions there are also some that work as motor nerves or mixed nerves.