Brain Stem (also known as Brain Stems, Brainstem): The part of the brain that connects the CEREBRAL HEMISPHERES with the SPINAL CORD. It consists of the MESENCEPHALON; PONS; and MEDULLA OBLONGATA.

NIH MeSH · D001933Anatomy

Brain Stem

Also known asBrain Stems · Brainstem · Brainstems · Truncus Cerebri · Cerebri, Truncus · Cerebrus, Truncus · Truncus Cerebrus

Definition

The part of the brain that connects the CEREBRAL HEMISPHERES with the SPINAL CORD. It consists of the MESENCEPHALON; PONS; and MEDULLA OBLONGATA.

MeSH classification

  • A08.186.211.132

Need clinical context, treatments, or patient-language explanation?

Ask GoDavaii AI about Brain Stem

Related concepts

Abducens Nucleus

A region in the PONTINE TEGMENTUM that is the nucleus of the ABDUCENS NERVE.

Amygdala

Almond-shaped group of basal nuclei anterior to the INFERIOR HORN OF THE LATERAL VENTRICLE of the TEMPORAL LOBE. The amygdala is part of the…

Anterior Commissure, Brain

Bundle of MYELINATED NERVE FIBERS that connects the two CEREBRAL HEMISPHERES in the LAMINA TERMINALIS. It is located ventral to the SEPTAL N…

Anterior Hypothalamic Nucleus

Loose heterogeneous collection of cells in the anterior hypothalamus, continuous rostrally with the medial and lateral PREOPTIC AREAS and ca…

Anterior Thalamic Nuclei

Three nuclei located beneath the dorsal surface of the most rostral part of the thalamus. The group includes the anterodorsal nucleus, anter…

Arcuate Nucleus of Hypothalamus

A nucleus located in the middle hypothalamus in the most ventral part of the THIRD VENTRICLE near the entrance of the infundibular recess. I…

Area Postrema

A small, rounded eminence on each side of the FOURTH VENTRICLE, which receives nerve fibers from the SOLITARY NUCLEUS; SPINAL CORD; and adja…

Auditory Cortex

The region of the cerebral cortex that receives the auditory radiation from the MEDIAL GENICULATE BODY.

Common questions about Brain Stem

What does Brain Stem mean in medicine?
The part of the brain that connects the CEREBRAL HEMISPHERES with the SPINAL CORD. It consists of the MESENCEPHALON; PONS; and MEDULLA OBLONGATA. This definition is taken from the National Library of Medicine's MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) 2026 release, which is the standard vocabulary used to index PubMed and most medical literature.
Is Brain Stem known by any other names?
Yes. Brain Stem is also referred to as Brain Stems, Brainstem, Brainstems, Truncus Cerebri in different clinical, research and patient-facing contexts. The MeSH descriptor groups all of these synonyms under a single canonical concept so research and records stay consistent.
Where does Brain Stem sit in the medical classification?
Brain Stem falls under the broader medical category "Anatomy" in the MeSH hierarchy (tree numbers: A08.186.211.132). Browsing the related concepts on this page takes you to neighbouring topics in the same branch of medicine.
Where can I get a plain-language explanation of Brain Stem?
For a plain-language explanation of Brain Stem - including symptoms, treatments and what it means for an Indian patient - ask GoDavaii's Health AI. It works in 22+ Indian languages, is free and needs no signup. Tap "Ask GoDavaii AI about Brain Stem" above.

Source: NIH MeSH 2026 (D001933) — National Library of Medicine, public domain. View official MeSH record ↗