The human brain lacks a sleep regulating structure.
The brainstem -LRB- or brain stem -RRB- is the posterior part of the brain , adjoining and structurally continuous with the spinal cord .. brain. brain. spinal cord. spinal cord. In the human brain the brainstem includes the midbrain , the pons , and the medulla oblongata .. brain. brain. human brain. human brain. midbrain. midbrain. pons. pons. medulla oblongata. medulla oblongata. Sometimes the diencephalon , the caudal part of the forebrain , is included .. diencephalon. diencephalon. forebrain. forebrain. The brainstem provides the main motor and sensory innervation to the face and neck via the cranial nerves .. face. face. neck. neck. cranial nerves. cranial nerves. Of the twelve pairs of cranial nerves , ten pairs come from the brainstem .. cranial nerves. cranial nerves. Though small , this is an extremely important part of the brain as the nerve connections of the motor and sensory systems from the main part of the brain to the rest of the body pass through the brainstem .. brain. brain. This includes the corticospinal tract -LRB- motor -RRB- , the posterior column-medial lemniscus pathway -LRB- fine touch , vibration sensation , and proprioception -RRB- , and the spinothalamic tract -LRB- pain , temperature , itch , and crude touch -RRB- .. corticospinal tract. corticospinal tract. posterior column-medial lemniscus pathway. posterior column-medial lemniscus pathway. fine touch. Fine touch#Fine touch and Crude touch. vibration sensation. Cutaneous receptor#Modalities. proprioception. proprioception. spinothalamic tract. spinothalamic tract. pain. pain. crude touch. Somatosensory system#Fine touch and crude touch. The brainstem also plays an important role in the regulation of cardiac and respiratory function .. cardiac. cardiac. respiratory. respiratory system. It also regulates the central nervous system , and is pivotal in maintaining consciousness and regulating the sleep cycle .. central nervous system. central nervous system. consciousness. consciousness. sleep cycle. sleep cycle. The brainstem has many basic functions including heart rate , breathing , sleeping , and eating .. heart rate. heart rate. breathing. breathing