brainstem

American

[breyn-stem] / ˈbreɪnˌstɛm /

Or brain stem

noun

the portion of the brain that is continuous with the spinal cord and comprises the medulla oblongata, pons, midbrain, and parts of the hypothalamus, functioning in the control of reflexes and such essential internal mechanisms as respiration and heartbeat.

brainstem British

/ ˈbreɪnˌstɛm /

noun

the stalklike part of the brain consisting of the medulla oblongata, the midbrain, and the pons Varolii

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

brainstem Scientific

/ brān′stĕm′ /

The part of the vertebrate brain located at the base of the brain and made up of the medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain. The brainstem controls and regulates vital body functions, including respiration, heart rate, and blood pressure.
See also reticular formation

Etymology

Origin of brainstem

First recorded in 1875–80; brain + stem ¹

Vocabulary lists containing brainstem

Psychology

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Example Sentences

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Asch�s 14-year-old daughter, Karla, was recently diagnosed with Brainstem Glioma, a cancerous brainstem tumor, and the majority of the proceeds from the wristband sales will go directly to Rick and his family.�

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023