Brain-stem (Noun)
Meaning
The part of the brain continuous with the spinal cord and comprising the medulla oblongata and pons and midbrain and parts of the hypothalamus.
Classification
Nouns denoting body parts.
Examples
- The brain-stem connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord and regulates many of the automatic functions of the body.
- Damage to the brain-stem, which regulates breathing and heart rate, can be fatal.
- The brain-stem is responsible for controlling many of the body's autonomic functions, such as body temperature, blood pressure, and hunger.
- A tumor in the brain-stem can put pressure on the surrounding structures and interfere with brain function.
- The development of the brain-stem during embryonic growth is crucial for the formation of the rest of the brain.