hindbrain

American  

[hahynd-breyn] / ˈhaɪndˌbreɪn /

noun

Anatomy.

1. the most posterior of the three primary divisions of the brain in the embryo of a vertebrate or the part of the adult brain derived from this tissue, including the cerebellum, pons, and medulla oblongata; rhombencephalon.

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hindbrain British  

/ ˈhaɪndˌbreɪn /

noun

1. the nontechnical name for rhombencephalon

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hindbrain Scientific  

/ hīnd′brān′ /

1. The rearmost part of the vertebrate brain. In humans, it consists of the pons and the medulla oblongata.

2. Compare forebrain midbrain

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Etymology

Origin of hindbrain

First recorded in 1885–90; hind ¹ + brain

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hindbrain

The Johns Hopkins researchers studied miniature models of the hindbrain, a region at the back of the skull that helps control essential functions such as breathing, sleep and heart rate.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 22, 2026

Their results show that the hormone acts through the hindbrain, which is located in the lower back part of the brain.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 16, 2026

Something malicious and alive, an indicator of a deeper rot, has crept into your space while you weren’t paying attention, your pest-wary hindbrain yells.

From Salon ● Nov. 7, 2025

"We found that not only are the same genes but also the same cue is involved in sea lamprey hindbrain development, suggesting this process is ancestral to all vertebrates," said Bedois.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 21, 2024

Something about it tingled in my hindbrain -- I knew I'd heard of this place.

From Little Brother by Cory Doctorow