Brain stem
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| Brain: Brain stem | ||
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| Latin | truncus encephali | |
| Gray's | subject #187 | |
| Part of | Brain | |
| Components | Medulla, Pons, Midbrain | |
| NeuroNames | ancil-218 | |
| MeSH | Brain+Stem | |
| Dorlands/Elsevier | b_21/12195821 | |
The brain stem is the lower part of the brain, adjoining and structurally continuous with the spinal cord. Most sources consider the pons, medulla oblongata, and midbrain all to be part of the brainstem.[1]
Differentiation of the brain stem from the cerebrum is complex, both anatomically and taxonomically. Some taxonomies describe the brain stem as the medulla and mesencephalon while others include diencephalic regions.
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[edit] Midbrain
The mesencephalon (or midbrain) is the middle of three vesicles that arise from the neural tube that forms the brain of developing animals.
[edit] Pons varolli
The middle segment of the human brain stem, the pons varolli, contains nerve fibers that connect the two halves of the cerebellum.
It is vital in coordinating movements involving right and left sides of the body.
[edit] Medulla oblongata
Below the pons and continuous with the spinal cord is the medulla oblongata, which transmits ascending and descending nerve fibers between the spinal cord and the brain. The medulla also directly controls many involuntary muscular and glandular activities, including breathing, heart contraction, artery dilation, salivation, vomiting, and probably laughing.
The medulla oblongata, grossly comprises the medullary pyramids and the olivary bodies or olives.
[edit] Embryology
The adult human brainstem emerges from parts of all three vesicles in the neural tube. Visually has two colliculi(bumps): superiorly=visual; inferiorly=auditory.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
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