What it means
The brain stem has three parts: the midbrain, the ponsPONZThe part of the brain stem between the midbrain and the medulla.Full entry and the medulla oblongata. It controls breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, swallowing, coughing and the sleep-wake cycle, and most of the cranial nerves come from it. All signals between the brain and body pass through it. Damage to it is often life-threatening.
For the nurse
Rising pressure in the skull can squeeze the brain stem. Report slowing or irregular breathing, a widening pulse pressure with a slow pulse, and changes in the pupils at once.
At a glance
| Spanish | tronco encefálico |
|---|---|
| Also written | brainstem |
Related terms
central nervous system
The brain and the spinal cord together.
intracranial pressure
The pressure inside the skull, made by the brain, the blood and the fluid around the brain.
spinal cord
The long bundle of nerves that runs down through the backbone and carries messages between the brain and the body.
pons
The part of the brain stem between the midbrain and the medulla.