The death of the brain stem is largely equal to brain death. Why do we say the brain stem is vital to our life?
A.
The brain stem, through its gray matter, provides many of the basic survival & reflex functions for the body; and through its white matter, the brain stem forms the connections between the brain & the body.
B.
Ten of the brain's twelve cranial nerves also originate in the brain stem, providing vital connections between the brain & the sensory organs, heart, & digestive organs.
C.
The reticular formation, which extends throughout the brain stem, performs several important functions, including the stimulation of the cerebral cortex & the production of muscle tone.
D.
Stimulation of the cerebral cortex by the reticular formation produces the effect of being awake & conscious, while the inactivation of the reticular formation leads to sleep.