A 42-year-old male was involved in a motor vehicle accident during which he suffered a severe head injury. He died shortly after the accident from loss of respiration. The area of the brain most likely involved is the:
A) cerebral cortex.
B) thalamus.
C) basal ganglia.
D) brain stem.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Loss of respiration indicates damage to the brain stem, which controls vital functions such as breathing and heartbeat. The cerebral cortex, thalamus, and basal ganglia do not directly control these functions.

A 42-Year-Old Male Was Involved in a Motor Vehicle Accident