The Anatomy of the Brain

The Brain Stem

The brain stem is comprised of the hindbrain and midbrain. The hindbrain contains structures including medulla, the pons and the reticular formation.

The Hindbrain

The hindbrain is the structure that connects the spinal cord to the brain.

• The medulla is located directly above the spinal cord and controls many vital autonomic functions such as heart rate, breathing and blood pressure.


• The pons connects the medulla to the cerebellum and helps coordinate movement on each side of the body.


• The reticular formation is a neural network located in the medulla that helps control functions such as sleep and attention.

Next: The Midbrain

• Introduction to the Brain - The Cerebral Cortex
• The Four Lobes
• The Brain Stem
• The Midbrain
• The Cerebellum
• The Thalamus
• The Hypothalamus
• The Limbic System
• The Basal Ganglia