hindbrain
Summary
The hindbrain is the posterior brain division next to the spinal cord, made up of the medulla, pons and cerebellum. It runs basic survival functions, balance and movement coordination. Most testable: cerebellum for coordination, medulla for breathing and heart rate.
Detail
Meaning: The hindbrain is the lowest, most posterior of the three embryonic brain divisions (forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain). It is continuous with the spinal cord and includes three structures:
The medulla oblongata controls autonomic functions such as breathing, heart rate and blood pressure, and reflexes such as swallowing, coughing and vomiting.
The pons relays signals between the cerebrum and cerebellum and takes part in sleep and breathing regulation.
The cerebellum coordinates movement, balance, posture and motor learning. It refines movement; it does not start it.
The reticular formation, a network running through the brainstem, helps control arousal and alertness. Textbooks differ on whether they place it in the hindbrain, the midbrain, or both.
On the MCAT: A passage describes a lesion, injury or behavioral deficit, and you name the damaged region. Clumsy, uncoordinated movement or loss of balance with intact strength points to the cerebellum. Failure of breathing or heart rate regulation points to the medulla. Questions may also ask you to contrast older, survival-oriented hindbrain functions with higher functions of the forebrain.
Common confusion: Students treat hindbrain and brainstem as identical. The brainstem usually means the medulla, pons and midbrain, while the hindbrain includes the cerebellum but not the midbrain. Also, the motor cortex initiates voluntary movement; the cerebellum smooths and coordinates it.
Sources
- Psychology (Myers)
- Biological Psychology (Kalat)
Written for the MCAT and checked before it was published. For study reference only. Spotted an error? Let us know.