brain stem

brain stem also brain·stem (brnstm)

n.

The portion of the brain, consisting of the medulla oblongata, pons Varolii, and midbrain, that connects the spinal cord to the forebrain and cerebrum.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

brain stem - the part of the brain continuous with the spinal cord and comprising the medulla oblongata and pons and midbrain and parts of the hypothalamus brain-stem, brainstem neural structure - a structure that is part of the nervous system brain, encephalon - that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord medulla oblongata, medulla, bulb - lower or hindmost part of the brain; continuous with spinal cord; (`bulb' is an old term for medulla oblongata); "the medulla oblongata is the most vital part of the brain because it contains centers controlling breathing and heart functioning" pons Varolii, pons - a band of nerve fibers linking the medulla oblongata and the cerebellum with the midbrain reticular formation, RF - a complex neural network in the central core of the brainstem; monitors the state of the body and functions in such processes as arousal and sleep and attention and muscle tone