Automated Brain Tutorial 9
YOUR AMAZING BRAIN STEM
BRAIN STEM

YOUR BRAIN STEM
  1. Thalamus

  2. Hypothalamus

  3. Pons

  4. Medulla

  5. Reticular-activating system

  6. Midbrain
    Your amazing "brain stem" is the part of your brain that was first to evolve in primitive human beings. It is often called a "reptilian brain" since it resembles almost the whole brain of a reptile.

    It is the source of all your instincts and feelings!

    Your brain stem links your brain to your "spinal cord."

    It contains four distinct neural systems, each with its own separate "neurotransmitters."

    It is the part of your brain where all the incoming and outgoing "messages" come together and cross over.

    The various structures in your brain stem include your "medulla," "pons," and your "reticular activating system." Together they control your heart rate, blood pressure, swallowing, coughing, hiccuping, vomiting, breathing and consciousness.

    Your brain's "reticular activating system" sifts through the mass of incoming information from your five senses and decides which part of that stream of signals is important enough for you --- or the conscious parts of your brain --- to be alerted to!

    Since it is in charge of the level of your consciousness, it is your reticular activating system (this part of your brain's structure) that controls your feeling of being alive!

    It does this by controlling the amount of "electrical" activity that each part of your brain receives. In turn, your reticular activating system is influenced by your brain's decisions. It is this interplay between the cellular electrical activity and your own choices or decisions that determines the level of your alertness and your consciousness!

    In addition, your "thalamus" is located in your brain stem and acts as a "relay station" for incoming information. Just below your thalamus is your "hypothalamus" which is involved in such bodily functions as hunger and thirst, bodily temperature and sleep. It works closely with your pituitary gland.

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