what is the brain stem responsible for

The brainstem is the lower part of the brain that connects to the spinal cord. It is responsible for regulating most of the bodys automatic functions that are essential for life, such as breathing, heartbeat, blood pressure, swallowing, and maintaining consciousness. The brainstem also relays information to and from the brain to the rest of the body, so it plays an important role in the brain’s core functions, such as awareness and movement. Additionally, the brainstem controls balance, coordination, and reflexes. The nerves that pass through the brainstem either continue down to the spinal cord or extend through the head to control facial functions. The brainstem is highly conserved with few differences in basic structure between vertebrates.