|
Subscribe to our Newsletter | | |
The Stroke Network
PO Box 492
Abingdon, MD 21009
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
Brain stem
The brain stem is the stem-like part of the base of the brain that
is connected to the spinal cord.
The brain stem controls the flow of
messages between the brain and the rest of the body, and it also
controls basic body functions such as breathing, swallowing, heart
rate, blood pressure, consciousness, and whether one is awake or
sleepy.
 |
Brain stem
 |
Midbrain
|
|
|
Pons
|
|
|
Medulla Oblongata
|
|
Midbrain
The midbrain, also called the
mesencephalon, is a small region of the brain that serves as a relay
center for visual, auditory, and motor system information.
It regulates autonomic functions, those
that the body carries out without conscious thought, such as
digestion, heart rate, and breathing rate.
Pons
A major structure in the upper part of
the brain stem is called the pons. The pons has two over-arching
roles. The first is the regulation of breathing. In the pons, there
is a structure called the pneumotaxic center. It controls the amount
of air breathed and breaths per minute, which is known as the
breathing rate.
In addition, the pons is involved in
the transmission of signals to and from other structures in the
brain, such as the cerebrum or the cerebellum. The pons is also
involved in sensations such as hearing, taste, and balance. Finally,
the pons is also involved in the regulation of deep sleep.
Medulla Oblongata
The medulla oblongata is located in the
lower portion of the brainstem. It is very important in things like
heart rate and blood pressure. It's responsible for many reflexes in
the body, or involuntarily controls, such as vomiting, sneezing, and
coughing.
A brain stem
stroke happens when the brain’s blood supply is interrupted in this
area. This type of stroke can result in death, since the damaged
brain stem can no longer control the body’s vital functions.
Involuntary Functions
|
|
Breathing
|
|
|
Heart
Rate
|
|
|
Swallowing
|
|
|
Reflexes
to seeing and hearing
|
|
Startle Response |
|
|
|
Autonomic Nervous System
|
|
Sweating |
|
|
Blood
Pressure |
|
|
Digestion |
|
|
Temperature |
|
|
|
Affects level of alertness
|
|
|
Ability
to sleep
|
|
|
Vestibular Function
|
|
Sense of balance
|
|
Observed Problems
|
|
Decreased vital capacity in
breathing, important for speech.
|
|
|
Difficulty with
organization/perception of the environment.
|
|
|
Balance
|
|
|
Movement
|
|
|
Dizziness
|
|
Vertigo |
|
|
Nausea
|
|
|
|
Sleeping difficulties
|
The brain stem contains the fibers which connect the brain to the
spinal cord and cerebellum. Strokes within the brain stem may be
localized by the pattern of deficits caused by the interruption of
these nerves.
Brain stem strokes are often caused by mechanical obstruction of
blood vessels, which might happen during a high speed chiropractic
manipulation of the neck, or some other event that causes a very
forceful neck movement, such as after a roller coaster ride.
Vertigo (spinning) is a common early symptom of brain stem strokes.
A large stroke in the upper brain stem may sever the connections
between the brain and the body. In such an instance, a person may
retain consciousness and intelligent thought but become entirely
paralyzed except for eye movements. This is called the locked-in
syndrome.
Locked-in Syndrome
A condition resulting from interruption of motor pathways in the
pons, usually by
infarction. This disconnection of the motor cells in the lower brain
stem and spinal cord from controlling signals issued by the brain leaves
the patient completely paralyzed and mute, but able to receive and
understand sensory stimuli to the
thalamus.
Communication
Communication may be possible by eye gazing (to letters or words
on a
Communication Board), by code using blinking (once for yes and
twice for no), or movements of the eyes (staring at objects, people,
etc).
A stroke affecting the brain stem is potentially life threatening since this
area of the brain controls functions such as breathing and instructing the
heart to beat. Brain stem stroke may also cause double vision, nausea and
loss of coordination.
Thalamus
The
thalamus is a small structure within the brain located just above the brain stem between the cerebral cortex and the midbrain and has extensive nerve connections to both.
It works to correlate several important processes, including
consciousness, sleep, and sensory interpretation.
Cranial Nerves
The
cranial nerves are composed of twelve pairs of nerves that
emanate from the nervous tissue of the brain.
The function of the cranial nerves is for the most part similar
to the spinal nerves, the nerves that are associated with the spinal
cord. Apart from sensory functions there are also some that
work as motor nerves or mixed nerves.
|
|
|
Stroke Warning Signs
 |
Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially
on one side of the body |
|
|
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
|
|
|
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
|
|
|
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or
coordination |
|
|
Sudden, severe headache with no known cause |
Rated as a top 5 stroke
information web site by:
|
;
