What is the oldest part of the brain?
Brainstem
The brainstem begins where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull and is responsible for automatic survival functions.
What functions does the brainstem control?
Automatic survival functions
Includes basic life-support functions like heartbeat, breathing, circulation, and swallowing.
Where is the medulla located?
At the base of the brainstem
The medulla controls basic life-support functions.
What basic life-support functions does the medulla control?
- Heartbeat
- Breathing
- Circulation
- Swallowing
Damage to the medulla can lead to death.
What role does the reticular formation play in the brain?
Controls an organism’s level of arousal
The reticular formation extends up and down the spinal cord into the brain.
What can damage to the reticular formation cause?
A loss of consciousness
The reticular formation is crucial for maintaining alertness.
What is the thalamus often referred to as?
The brain’s sensory switchboard
The thalamus directs messages to the receiving areas in the cortex, except for smell.
What does the thalamus do with incoming sensory information?
Distributes it to the proper regions of the brain for processing
All sensory fibers (except smell) funnel into the thalamus.
Where is the cerebellum located?
Attached to the rear of the brainstem
The cerebellum plays a role in coordination.
What is the primary function of the cerebellum?
Helps coordinate voluntary movements
Damage to the cerebellum can impair basic movement skills.
Fill in the blank: The brainstem is responsible for ______ functions.
automatic survival
These functions are essential for life.
True or False: The thalamus processes smell.
False
The thalamus directs all sensory information except for smell.
