The term brainstem can be used in 2 ways – it can either mean the part of the brain that includes the medulla oblongata, pons and midbrain, or the part of the brain that includes these structures plus the diencephalon1. Here the former convention is used – therefore the brainstem consists of the rhombencephalon (pons and medulla oblongata but excluding the cerebellum) and the mesencephalon (midbrain)1. The brainstem regulates essential life-sustaining functions, including breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure, and serves as the main pathway for sensory and motor information between the brain and spinal cord. It also plays a critical role in maintaining alertness and coordinating basic reflexes and movements1,2
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The olfactory system detects airborne odor molecules in the nasal cavity and transmits this information to the olfactory bulb. From there, signals are relayed to several brain regions involved in smell perception, memory, emotion, and behaviour.
The gustatory system detects taste stimuli on the tongue and relays this information through brainstem and thalamic pathways to the gustatory cortex.
Movement is controlled by a network of brain and spinal cord structures that work together to plan, initiate, coordinate, and execute actions.