Editing Brain Stem (section)

==Physiology==

There are three main functions of the brain stem:

1. The first is its role in conduct functions. That is, all information related from the body to the cerebrum and cerebellum and vice versa, must traverse the brain stem. The ascending pathways coming from the body to the brain are the sensory pathways, and include the spinothalamic tract for pain and temperature sensation and the dorsal column, fasciculus gracilis, and cuneatus for touch, proprioception, and pressure sensation (both of the body). (The facial sensations have simiar pathways, and will travel in the spinothalamic tract and the medial lemniscus also). Descending tracts are upper motor neurons destined to synapse on lower motor neurons in the ventral horn and intermediate horn of the spinal cord. In addition, there are upper motor neurons that originate in the brain stem's vestibular, red, tectal, and reticular nuclei, which also descend and synapse in the spinal cord.

2. The cranial nerves 3-12 emerge from the brain stem.

3. The brain stem has integrative functions (it is involved in cardiovascular system control, respiratory control, pain sensitivity control, alertness, and consciousness). Thus, brain stem damage is a very serious and often life-threatening problem.

*In 2414 [[Rank|Lieutenant]] [[Eian O'Neill]] was infested by [[Vexarak Spoiler]]s, which wrapped themselves around his Brain Stem. They could not be removed surgically. Instead [[Medical Officer|Doctor]] [[Emily Post]] used Isolinear tags and a [[transporter]] to remove them.

[[Category: Medical]][[Category:Database]]