The brain stem is important because the motor and sensory systems send signals from the nerve connections through this part of the brain to provide communication with the peripheral nervous system. The brain stem consists of the mesencephalon, pons, and medulla oblongata.
The first part, mesencephalon, also called the midbrain, has nuclei, which lets information of visual and auditory nature be triggered by the stimuli. Mesencephalon also controls reflexes caused by visual and auditory information and helps be conscious (Martini, Nath, & Bartholomew, 2014). Midbrain enables vision, hearing, alertness, etc. (Clark, 2005).
Pons is the following part of the brain stem that connects the cerebellum to the brain. (Martini et al., 2014). This part is located in the area of the hindbrain and resides right above the medulla. By connecting the upper and lower parts of the brain, pons enables communication between these parts helping the relay messages from the cortex and the cerebrum. Pons deal with such processes as sleep, breathing, equilibrium, taste, etc.
The medulla oblongata is found in the lower part of the brain stem. This part of the brain functions involuntarily and provides a set of crucial functions in a body (Martini et al., 2014). The failure or injury of medulla oblongata causes the failure of such processes as breathing, heart rate, and digestion. The medulla also regulates heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion (Clark, 2005).
Brainstem, Cerebellum, and Cerebrum
The brain stem is the limbic system located in the cerebrum going from inside down. This link connects the brain to the cerebrum to the spinal cord. The brain stem in its three parts enables breathing, heartbeat, blood pressure, alertness, and much more vital functions and all transitional processes that come from peripheral nerves to the spinal cord to the brain (Martini, 2014).
Anatomically, the cerebellum is partially hidden in the cerebrum and its size is the second largest after cerebrum. More on cerebellum and cerebrum, they both contain gray matter called cerebellar cortex. In turn, the cerebellum processes the data from cerebral motor cortex and ensures proper balance and posture making movements smooth and coordinated.
The cerebrum is a paired body structure that consists of two cerebral hemispheres divided by longitudinal fissure (Martini, 2014). The location of the cerebrum is the upper part of the cranial cavity. As stated above, a layer of gray matter covers numerous densely-folded hemispheres. The functions incorporate conscious thoughts, sensations, imagination, memory, and set of movements in the complex.
Ventricles and Choroid Plexus
The ventricular system of the brain is the communicating network of four cavities filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The system involves two large lateral ventricles. The third ventricle is located vertically and connects with the last ventricle by a cerebral aqueduct. The ventricles produce and circulate CSF.
To be precise, the choroid plexuses, which is located in the ventricles, produce CSF. The fluid fills all cavities in the ventricular system and subarachnoid (Martini, 2014). The constant flow of CSF provides the normal pressure and functioning of the brain parts. The blockage, e.g. in the aqueduct, may lead to escalated pressure and result in hydrocephalus (Clark, 2005).
Types of Nerves
The peripheral nervous system comprises sensory, motor, or mixed nerves. This system delivers the messages from peripheral tissues in different parts of the body to the CNS. Namely, cranial nerves provide this transportation. There are twelve pairs of such nerves that meet subdivision into the mentioned three types of nerves.
To proceed with examples, sensory nerves include olfactory, optic, and vestibulocochlear nerves; motor nerves are represented by oculomotor, trochlear, abducens, spinal accessory, and hypoglossal nerves; and finally, mixed nerves are trigeminal, facial, glossopharyngeal, and vagus nerve (Martini, 2014).
- Clark, R. K. (2005). Anatomy and physiology: Understanding the human body. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.
- Martini, F. H., Nath, J. L., & Bartholomew, E. F. (2014). Fundamentals of Anatomy & Physiology (10th ed.). Pearson College Div.
