Brainstem

High school (ages 12+)
Human Body

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/brainstem

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific name?Truncus encephali
2. What is the major divisions?Midbrain (mesencephalon), pons, and medulla oblongata
3. What is the brainstem and why is it important?The brainstem is the base of the brain that connects the cerebrum and cerebellum to the spinal cord. It controls vital functions like breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure, keeping us alive.
4. What parts make up the brainstem?The brainstem has three parts: the midbrain, the pons, and the medulla oblongata. Each part helps send signals and controls different body functions.

Reticular Activating System (RAS): A network in the brainstem crucial for maintaining arousal, wakefulness, and attention.
Autonomic Nervous System: Controls involuntary bodily functions like heart rate, digestion, and breathing.
Homeostasis: The body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes.