Name the three primary regions of the brainstem.

• A. Medulla oblongata, Pons, Midbrain
• B. Cerebellum, Thalamus, Hypothalamus
• C. Cortex, Hippocampus, Amygdala
• D. Spinal cord, Brain, Retina

Answer: (A)

The brainstem is made up of three regions: the medulla oblongata, the pons, and the midbrain. It sits between the spinal cord and the higher brain regions and houses many essential pathways and autonomic control centers. The medulla oblongata forms the lower portion, continuous with the spinal cord, and regulates vital functions such as heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. The pons sits above it and acts as a relay station, connecting the cerebellum with the rest of the brain and participating in breathing and some sensory and motor pathways. The midbrain, or mesencephalon, is the uppermost part and contains structures involved in motor control and auditory/visual reflexes. The cerebellum is closely associated with the brainstem but is not part of it; the diencephalon (thalamus and hypothalamus) sits above the brainstem, and the cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala belong to the cerebrum and limbic systems. So the three primary regions are medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain.