Human brain trunk: structure, function, lesion and disease

The trunk of the human brain is responsible for reflexes and movements. Nerve impulses are transmitted in different directions.

Content

The brain stem is part of the central nervous system, which includes the middle brain, bridge and an oblong brain. This structure plays an extremely important role in the body - it contains centers that control processes such as the work of the heart or breathing, and for this reason, any damage to the brain stem can facilitate the life of the patient.

Read on our website another article on the topic: "The central nervous system is anatomy". In it you will find a structure, functions, physiology, features of the central nervous system.

What are the functions of the brain stem? What pathological processes can occur inside it? You will find answers in the article below. Read further.

What is the structure of the human brain trunk - composition: anatomy, physiology, medium, oblong brain, bridge

Human brain trunk - This is part of the brain that includes the middle, oblong brain and bridge. As a rule, the central nervous system, which is a special control center for the entire body, includes the brain and spinal cord. Inside the first, several of its parts are distinguished, namely: the final brain, the intermediate brain, the middle brain, the oblong brain and cerebellum. Some of these structures, essentially similar functions that they perform - are grouped into one whole - the brain stem. According to anatomy and physiology, the composition of this part of the human body is special.

It is worth noting that many scientists consider the expanded definition of the brain stem and consider its elements, except for the structures described above, as certain nuclei of the anterior and intermediate brain. However, a more popular definition is that only three parts are included in the brain stem:

The middle brain It is located in front of the bridge, and its main task is to coordinate the activities of muscle cells, eyeballs and control reflexes associated with hearing and vision organs.
Bridge - This is part of the brain stem that is responsible for transmitting signals between the cerebral cortex and the cerebellum. In addition, he controls the course of various motor actions.
Medulla - This is a structure in which there are many centers associated with the management of basic life processes, for example, breathing, blood circulation, etc.

Below is information about the functions of the brain stem. Read further.

Human brain trunk: functions

The main function of the human brain trunk is the transmission of nerve impulses between different parts of the central nervous system. This is performed in many directions. For example, it is through this structure that signals from the cerebral cortex to the cerebellum pass and vice versa.

The same thing with sensory impulses of man. For example, signals pass through the sensory, pain or temperature receptors through the brain stem. The same happens with motor impulses, which are sent by neurons responsible for movement located in the structures of the central nervous system. They reach peripheral organs and then pass through the brain trunk.

This part of the human body is also directly related to the cranial nerves. It is in the brain trunk that the nuclei are located, from which most of the cranial nerves begin (more precisely, from the third to the twelfth). However, the most important function of the brain stem is coordinating the course of many different human life processes. It includes such important centers:

A structure that controls the respiratory center, heart function and blood pressure.
Center for metabolic processes, management.
The department responsible for the integration of structures of sensory and motor systems that regulate reflex activities - cough, sneezing, sweating or swallowing.

It is also important that the brain trunk is responsible for ensuring that we are awake. This is performed by centers located in the part of the central nervous system, which are determined, we are currently awake or sleep.

Lesions of the brain stem in an adult and child: illness, hemorrhage

Given the importance of the functions of the brain stem, it is not difficult to conclude that damage to this structure can have terrible consequences. They lead to the loss of the functions of the cranial nerves - visual impairment, as well as dizziness or impaired swallowing function, are possible.

It is worth knowing:

However, the states of the adult and the child in which the dysfunction of any of the above important centers located in the brain trunk arises much more serious.
It can be severe respiratory disorders or cardiovascular disorders, as well as the loss of consciousness, which ultimately lead to a coma.

In what situations does the brain barrel dysfunction occur? Its cause may be the head injury - with a concussion of the brain, hemorrhage. The dangerous consequence of these conditions is the invagination of the brain stem. Among other diseases that can affect the functions of the brain stem, the following lesions and conditions are:

Brain stem tumors - Astocytoma or the ependymum. Fortunately, these pathologies are rare in patients
Hemorrhage in the brain stem
Stroke
Multiple sclerosis, etc.

What happens if the death of the brain stem occurs? Read further.

The death of the brain stem: reflexes

Above, we discussed the structures and functions of the brain stem. But the question is no less important - the death of the brain stem. This is currently considered the main criterion for the death of the brain. When irreversible damage to structures belonging to the brain stem occurs, the independent functioning of a person is completely impossible.

The death of the brain stem is diagnosed primarily by evaluating the presence of the so -called reflex of the body in the patient. These are the following conditions:

Cornflower reflex - instant and short -term close of the eyelids
Vomiting reflex
Cough reflex
Okulocephalic reflex

In addition to checking the above conditions, before determining the fact of the death of the brain stem, the patient’s reaction to the pain stimulus, the spontaneous movement of his eyeballs and the reaction of the pupils to light are also evaluated. However, before conducting such an analysis, you must first make sure that a person is not in a coma and that he does not have breathing insufficiency. Only after that can you begin actions with which the death of the brain stem can be diagnosed.