What is the brain stem made of?

What is the brain stem made of?

The brainstem is the structure that connects the cerebrum of the brain to the spinal cord and cerebellum. It is composed of 3 sections in descending order: the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata.

What are the characteristics of brainstem?

The brainstem (brain stem) is the distal part of the brain that is made up of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata. Each of the three components has its own unique structure and function. Together, they help to regulate breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and several other important functions.

How wide is your brain stem?

It is approximately 3cm long and 2cm wide at its largest point. The superior margin of the medulla is located at the junction between the medulla and pons, while the inferior margin is marked by the origin of the first pair of cervical spinal nerves.

What part of the brain is the brain stem?

Brainstem. The brainstem (middle of brain) connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord. The brainstem includes the midbrain, the pons and the medulla.

How thick is the brain stem?

The brain stem is a tube-shaped mass of nervous tissue a little over 3 inches (8 cm) long.

What is brain stem and its function?

Your brainstem is the bottom, stalklike portion of your brain. It connects your brain to your spinal cord. Your brainstem sends messages to the rest of your body to regulate balance, breathing, heart rate and more. Sudden injuries, and brain or heart conditions may affect how your brainstem works.

Is midbrain part of brainstem?

The midbrain is the topmost part of the brainstem, the connection central between the brain and the spinal cord. There are three main parts of the midbrain – the colliculi, the tegmentum, and the cerebral peduncles.

What is a brain stem stroke?

A brainstem stroke happens when blood supply to the base of the brain is stopped. This can affect many functions in the body, such as heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. There are two main types: ischemic and hemorrhagic .

What is superior to the brain stem?

The most superior part of the brainstem is the midbrain which continues behind the pons and down to the medulla. The more anterior, superior part of the brainstem is the pons and the more posterior, inferior part of the brainstem is the medulla, although there is some overlap.

What does the brain stem look like?

If you look closely at the structure of the brain stem, you’ll notice that it looks much like an actual stem, while the cerebrum looks like a flower growing from it. Underneath them is the spinal cord, which can be observed as the root.

What is the shape of the brain?

The human brain has a very striking shape, and one feature stands out large and clear: the cerebral cortex with its stereotyped pattern of gyri (folds and convolutions) and sulci (fissures and depressions).

What are the three parts of the brain stem?

Thus, the brain stem is the base of the whole brain. It consists of three essential components: the midbrain, pons, and medulla (also known as the medulla oblongata). The brain stem is responsible for several vital functions such as breathing, heart rate, sleep, and even consciousness.

What is the function of the brain stem and spinal cord?

Brain stem: 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.