The most interesting part of the human body is its head, where such a powerful and natural regulator is located - the brain. The brain stem, cerebellum and two large hemispheres are those "details" of which this peculiar "computer" consists. But just like other organs, the brain stem is prone to various diseases. Let's talk about them in more detail.
Brain Overview
The brain (the brain stem is one of the main components of the regulator of the central nervous system) is the main human organ, consisting of 20-25 billion neurons. They are directly involved in the formation of complex electrical impulses that control the work of the whole organism as a whole.
The human brain has reliable and durable protection in the form of a skull. Three shells provide him with additional protection:
The intermediate link between the protective membranes and the spinal cord is cerebrospinal fluid, or cerebrospinal fluid. It is liquor that is considered a kind of shock absorber that protects our brain from shock and any mechanical damage. The brain stem (also called the brain stem) is considered an important component of the base of the regulator. We will talk more about it, as well as about what other parts the brain consists of.
What structures does the brain consist of?
The brain is considered a complex of peculiar and very complex mechanisms that work like a clock. As a rule, it consists of five departments:
- final;
- intermediate;
- back (the bridge and cerebellum belongs to it);
- average;
- oblong.
In addition, the human brain is divided into three main structures, among which:
- cerebral cortex;
- basal ganglia;
- thalamus;
- cerebellum;
- brain stem.
All of the above structures perform extremely important functions, and also play a role in the work and protection of the brain.
What is a human brain stem?
The human brain stem is considered one of the main parts of the body regulator, which includes the brain stem nuclei (they are also called the cranial nerve nuclei), as well as the vasomotor, respiratory and other centers that are important for the normal functioning of each individual.
It is located between the edges of a large opening in the occipital region of the head and the slope of the inside of the skull. The brain stem is sometimes said to extend the spinal cord. This is due to the fact that both bodies are endowed not with a clear, but with a conditional border.
The trunk of the brain (the structure and functions will be described below) has a length of only 7 cm. It primarily includes the middle and oblong brain, as well as the Varolian bridge. Often, the diencephalon with the cerebellum is also additionally included in the brain stem.
More on the structure and functions of the parts of the brain stem
Each of the components of the brain stem has its own characteristics and functions. For example, the midbrain is considered one of the main departments that is responsible for the performance of the human visual and auditory center.
According to textbooks on anatomy, it is the midbrain that enters the brain stem that is able to regulate the change in the position and shape of the pupil (with its help it can narrow and expand). And of course, he is directly responsible for maintaining the muscle tone of our eyes and allows us to orient ourselves perfectly in space.
The medulla oblongata, which is also called the bulb due to its special structure, is responsible for such protective reflexes as sneezing (in the presence of a cold or allergens), coughing and even vomiting. In addition, it is this part of the brain that helps regulate the respiratory system and is responsible for the smooth operation of the cardiovascular and digestive systems.
The Varoliev bridge is also an important section of the regulator included in the brain stem (its structure and functions should be known to all those who wish to learn more about human anatomy). This organ is a kind of isthmus between the head and the spinal cord, since it is he who is responsible for the transfer of information from one part of the body to another.
The cerebellum is the part of the brain that is responsible for the coordination of human movements, the regulation and maintenance of balance and, of course, muscle tone. It is located slightly below the bridge and medulla oblongata (in the region of the occipital lobes).
The diencephalon is a section located above the midbrain. He is responsible for the normal functioning of the endocrine glands (controls the vital activity of the thyroid gland and adrenal glands).
These amazing sections of the brain stem have long existed and act in our body.
What are the nuclei of the cranial nerves?
As we mentioned earlier, the cranial nerve nuclei lie in the brain stem. They are located in the intermediate region between the posterior and oblong parts of the brain, and also partially affect the bridge.
According to experts, these nuclei consist of nerves, of which there are at least twelve. However, they all affect the structure of the brain stem, as, like a huge octopus, they plunged their "tentacles" into the brain stem and created a number of branches.
In the list of nerves that are directly part of the nuclei, we can distinguish:
- olfactory and visual;
- discharge and facial;
- oculomotor and block;
- trigeminal and glossopharyngeal;
- trigeminal and wandering;
- sublingual and additional.
Moreover, each of the nuclei is responsible for the different nature of the innervation (the connection of tissues and organs with the help of nerve endings) and performs its functional duties. For example, the nuclei related to the block nerve are responsible for diverting the eyes to the down and side positions.
Binary nuclei allow you to control the muscles of the larynx, palate, and pharynx. That's why they lead our voice, the process of chewing food and articulation (pronunciation aloud of the sounds of speech). Having received more detailed information about the direct purpose of the nuclei of the cranial nerves, one can also find out the functions of the brain stem.
What functions does the brain stem perform?
The brain trunk has a number of auxiliary organs and constituent parts that play an important role in the life of each of us. So, thanks to him, we have the opportunity to feel the aroma of flowers, pick up any sounds and understand human speech, solve important issues with the help of thoughts, see the world around us and feel it by touch.
At the same time, most of the functions of the trunk, according to experts, are realized due to the presence of nuclei and nerve endings in them. Many of them control auditory, visual and taste buds. And since the spinal cord and the brain stem are closely connected with each other, the main task of the first is the transfer of all the instructions of the central nervous system to all other organs. That is, the brain stem is a processor with wires through which electricity passes. Therefore, it is so important to monitor its performance. Otherwise, the entire system will fail, and the electrical impulses will not be transmitted to their final destination.
The brain (brain stem): problems and diseases
Regardless of the general state of affairs, one or another organ in our body may well fail. Most often this happens due to the presence of some kind of trauma or unnatural neoplasm, and sometimes it is a consequence of something more dangerous.
So, we can distinguish several diseases associated with damage to cells or components of the brain stem:
- brain stem stroke;
- tumor formations in the trunk area;
- chordomas;
- ischemia;
- aneurysms;
- epidermoids;
- vascular malformation;
- meningiomas;
- cysts.
When is a brain stem stroke possible?
Most often, vascular problems lead to strokes. And if in a healthy person (mainly at a young age) they are elastic and strong, then with age their walls become thin and often become covered with peculiar plaques.
The impetus for clogging of blood vessels can be a sharp pressure drop in your body. As a result, they do not withstand the load, become clogged, and in some cases even burst. Consequently, the usual movement of blood becomes impossible, and the brain stem is damaged.
The mechanism of action of a stroke in this case occurs according to the following scheme: first one of the vessels of the brain becomes clogged, then the walls of the vessel burst, and hemorrhage occurs, leading to the formation of a hematoma. It is as if she is blocking the affected vessel from others and does not allow oxygen to it. Further, the energy impulse ceases to be supplied to the stem brain, a malfunction occurs, and other organs cannot work smoothly.
How does ischemic stroke occur?
Ischemic stroke is considered the most dangerous type of cerebrovascular disease. According to doctors, the problem lies in acute circulatory disorders and extensive damage to brain tissue. At the same time, blood cannot flow to certain areas of the regulator; their structure is disturbed (softening), which leads to complete tissue death. This is a fast and irreversible process.
As a rule, diabetes, rheumatism, hypertension or atherosclerosis leads to such a negative consequence as ischemia.
Therefore, in order to avoid negative consequences, it is necessary to identify and conduct treatment of the brain stem in a timely manner, as well as to get rid of concomitant ailments that can lead to ischemia.
What types of brain stem tumors are there?
All brain stem tumors can conditionally be divided into nine types. They are:
- primary stem (appear from the affected trunk tissue);
- exophytic-stem (occur in the cerebellum or the membranes of the ventricle and only then reach the trunk);
- secondary stem;
- cerebellar (their epicenter appears in the region of the legs of the cerebellum, and then gradually spreads to the trunk);
- diamond-shaped (occur in the area of the diamond-shaped recess);
- parabolic;
- deforming (lead to a change in the shape of the brain stem).
There is also a diffuse tumor of the brain stem that is not treatable and in most cases leads to death. Recall that a tumor occurs when the body cells begin to divide incorrectly.
What are gliomas?
Gliomas are considered malignant tumors. In other words, when they are detected, doctors usually diagnose CNS cancer (central nervous system). These types of tumors are rare for preschool children.
However, they are spoken of as the most aggressive types of cancer, leading to the rapid growth of damaged and destruction of healthy tissues. At the same time, the cells of this tumor quickly divide and spread over a considerable distance from the place of their primary formation.
The danger of such unnatural seals is that the neoplasm begins to grow directly inside the brain stem, blocking blood flow and oxygen to other organs. Subsequently, a brain stem tumor in children of school and adolescence or in adults can lead to impaired vision, hearing, speech and even paralysis.
What is diffuse tumor formation?
Benign and malignant tumors have different growth rates. So, in the first case, neoplasms can grow for years and do not bring much harm to their owners. The latter, on the contrary, are growing rapidly.
And of course, depending on the type of tumor and the diagnosis, the neoplasm can be operable or not (not subject to surgical intervention). It is to these that the diffuse tumor of the brain stem belongs. It is characterized by the complete absence of a septum between the neoplasm and the medulla. And sometimes it is so intertwined with the tissues of the bridge that it simply cannot be removed painlessly without damaging the brain.
At what age can a brain stem tumor be observed in children?
According to many years of research by specialists, tumors can be observed in both children and adults. Moreover, the danger of getting a dangerous ailment in the latter arises between three and nine years. It is precisely at this age that approximately 7–11% of cases of childhood diseases occur.
Depending on which of the organs of our body the child develops a tumor, he may develop facial asymmetry and strabismus, dizziness and other symptoms, which we will talk about shortly. So, what are the symptoms observed in patients with tumors and impaired brain stem, and why do they occur?
Causes of the brain stem disease
Among the main reasons for which certain symptoms of diseases of the brain stem may appear, the following can be distinguished:
- various vascular diseases;
- craniocerebral trauma;
- damage and spasms of blood vessels (lead to circulatory disorders);
- smoking and drinking;
- nervous breakdowns and stresses;
- experiments and extreme life;
- unhealthy food and lifestyle;
- regular use of contaminated water.
And of course, another cause of the development of diseases (one of them is glioma of the brain stem) is considered a congenital anomaly. Moreover, you may never know about its existence. As a rule, it can be recognized only with the help of specialized studies in clinics.
Yes, and it may not bother you at all. But if you get an injury or a small blow to the head, it will become the beginning in a chain reaction, which ultimately leads to the development of a dangerous disease.
How do tumor formations appear?
The presence of a tumor can be determined by a number of symptoms. For example, problems with the brain stem can occur with sudden dizziness and intense pain syndromes.
In addition, patients, as a rule, have problems with vision and coordination of movements, with hearing. Also, they may experience sharp mood swings, disorientation in space and the occurrence of tremor of hands and head.
How to timely identify a tumor?
The easiest way to detect a tumor in a timely manner is to carry out magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. According to experts, this is a very effective method that does not carry any danger even for the examined children. The method consists in a kind of brain scan on a special apparatus. The main thing that he gives is the ability to detect even a very small neoplasm.
The second diagnostic option is to conduct computed tomography. It also displays the result on the screen and gives medicine representatives a clear picture of the patient's condition.
How are brain stem tumors treated?
If a tumor is detected, doctors prescribe appropriate treatment. In particular, benign neoplasms having a separate membrane and septum can be easily removed surgically. In such situations, the patient gets rid of the tumor and continues to live on. However, similar neoplasms are observed in approximately 19-25% of patients. In most cases, malignant tumors are found that are not amenable to the scalpel of a doctor.
As an alternative method of treatment, the patient may be offered radiation therapy. It involves exposure to a tumor with highly active x-rays. According to experts, it is she who can slow down the growth of the neoplasm, get rid of repeated relapses, and sometimes prepare the patient for surgery.
Another type of treatment is stereotactic therapy. This is one of the new techniques, involving the use of several types of tumor irradiation. In particular, Gamma Knife and Cyber Knife are used. In the first case, the patient puts a special helmet on his head and is exposed to radiological radiation. Moreover, the procedure itself allows you to concentrate directly on the epicenter of the neoplasm. In the second case, robotic equipment with the possibility of radiation is used. This unit independently determines the dosage and exposure time.
When using stereotactic therapy, patients, as a rule, almost do not feel pain. However, before its implementation, patients are prescribed tomography and magnetic resonance therapy.
Another way to deal with an unwanted guest in the body is chemotherapy. It involves the use of special cytostatic agents that help stop growth and remove the neoplasm itself.
To achieve greater effect in the detection of oncology, specialists can use a mixed treatment system. This means that several types of therapies and procedures, including surgical intervention, can be included in the patient’s recovery program.
What is the HIT-HGG 2007 protocol?
Treatment for children is usually controlled by certain rules. In particular, doctors can use the so-called HIT-HGG 2007 protocol, which provides for simultaneous surgery and two types of therapy for a child (chemistry and radiation). Moreover, in time, for example, a kid or teenager undergoing chemotherapy takes no more than 5-6 weeks.
The main objective of this treatment is to initially reduce the neoplasm. And radiation therapy in this case plays the role of a control shot and eliminates the possible shortcomings of the two previous treatment methods.