Brainstem
De hersenstam is een onderdeel van de hersenen en zit onderaan de schedel, in het verlengde van het ruggenmerg. Het verbindt de grote hersenen met de kleine hersenen (die achter de hersenstam liggen) en het ruggenmerg.
The brainstem is part of the brain and is located at the bottom of the skull, in line with the spinal cord. It connects the cerebrum with the cerebellum (which lies behind the brainstem) and the spinal cord.
The brainstem is responsible for our basic functions such as body temperature, heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, digestion, eye movements, urination, hearing, tasting, chewing and swallowing, and feeling movement and gravity.
The brainstem consists of the midbrain, the pons, and the medulla oblongata. The midbrain is the upper part of the brainstem and it is involved in controlling sensory and motor functions. They also play a role in eye movements. The pons provides contact between the cerebrum and the cerebellum. It also ensures that stimuli from the vestibular and hearing organs are passed on to the cerebellum. The medulla oblongata is the transition area from the spinal cord to the brain. The area is very small but very important. It is involved in vital functions such as breathing, heartbeat and coughing.
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