In the
anatomy of humans and of many other vertebrates, the
brainstem (or
brain stem) is the posterior part of the
brain, adjoining and structurally continuous with the
spinal cord. In humans it is usually described as including the
medulla oblongata (myelencephalon),
pons (part of metencephalon), and
midbrain (mesencephalon). Less frequently, parts of the
diencephalon are included.