Relate & Review: The Woman With a Hole In Her Brain

The woman in the article was missing her cerebellum, which is responsible for motor memory and body control. The cortex took over the responsibilities of the cerebellum and she was able to survive with only a few issues. Another part of the brain, the pons, is the portion that lies above the medulla oblongata and below the midbrain. It transmits sensory info and motor impulses from the brain. It also controls the subconscious somatic and visceral motor centers. An injury to the pons can result in coma, sleep or sensory disturbances, and increase levels of anxiety and stress. A severe injury or absence of the pons would result in death, so a person cannot live without his or her pons.