The brain stem is made up of the medulla oblongata, pons annulare, and midbrain.
The brainstem is a structure that is composed of the medulla oblongata , pons annulare , and midbrain . This is a region also known as the brainstem that is key to heart rate and breathing , among other organic functions.
The medulla oblongata, which may be called the medulla oblongata , is the lowest-lying segment of the brainstem. It is located below the annular pons and above the spinal cord. The medulla oblongata is responsible for regulating gastric, respiratory and cardiac functions, in addition to transmitting nerve impulses from the spinal cord to the brain .
The annular pons, whose other names are pons and pons , is located above the medulla oblongata and below the midbrain. Thanks to this protuberance, the medulla oblongata and the spinal cord connect with the cerebellum and the cerebral hemispheres . The midbrain, finally, is the upper segment of the brain stem and is also called the midbrain .
Features of the brainstem
In addition to all of the above, it is worth knowing a series of interesting facts about the brain stem that can be as curious as they are important:
- It is also called the brain stem and curiously it is believed that it appeared, first, in species of living beings that did not resemble humans.
- It has a large number of fundamental and important elements for man, so much so that if they are damaged, death can occur immediately.
- It intervenes in the maintenance of consciousness.
- It also plays a key role in regulating the sleep cycle.
- We must not overlook that it controls hiccups , coughs and sneezes.
- Likewise, it is considered vital with regard to vomiting, the ability to swallow, and the individual's sensitivity to pain.
The brain stem is involved in the regulation of sleep.
The midbrain
It must also be stated that the midbrain is crossed by the Sylvian aqueduct . It is a fairly narrow conduit through which cerebrospinal fluid circulates.
In the same way, it must be said that the midbrain is relevant in eye movement , coordination and even the sending of information that occurs between the brain and the motor nerves as well as between the spinal cord and the brain.
Other interesting facts about the brainstem
It is important to mention that the brain stem is made up of white matter and gray matter . The white matter houses gray matter nuclei , among which the reticular substance and the segmental centers can be distinguished.
The different nuclei of the brainstem , finally, are linked by fibers that go from the spinal cord to the cerebellum.