brain stem
/breɪn stɛm/
noun
- The part of the brain that connects to the spinal cord and controls basic life functions like breathing, heartbeat, and sleep.
- The brain-stem is responsible for keeping your heart beating without you thinking about it.
- The doctor explained that the brain-stem controls reflexes like coughing and sneezing.
- Damage to the brain-stem can affect a person's ability to breathe on their own.