brainstem

UK:*UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈbreɪnˌstɛm/US:USA pronunciation: respellingUSA pronunciation: respelling(brān′stem′)


WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
brain•stem  (brān′stem′),USA pronunciation n. 
  1. Anatomythe portion of the brain that is continuous with the spinal cord and comprises the medulla oblongata, pons, midbrain, and parts of the hypothalamus, functioning in the control of reflexes and such essential internal mechanisms as respiration and heartbeat.
Also, brain′ stem′. 
  • brain + stem1 1875–80

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
brainstem / ˈbreɪnˌstɛm/
  1. the stalklike part of the brain consisting of the medulla oblongata, the midbrain, and the pons Varolii
'brainstem' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
brain - cranial nerve - locked-in syndrome - reticular formation

Forum discussions with the word(s) "brainstem" in the title:


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