brain stem -
the part of the brain continuous with the spinal cord and comprising the medulla oblongata and pons and midbrain and parts of the hypothalamus
encephalon,
brain that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
medulla oblongata,
medulla,
bulb lower or hindmost part of the brain; continuous with spinal cord; (`bulb' is an old term for medulla oblongata); "the medulla oblongata is the most vital part of the brain because it contains centers controlling breathing and heart functioning"
pons varolii,
pons a band of nerve fibers linking the medulla oblongata and the cerebellum with the midbrain
