the relationship between damage to different parts of the brain and coma

the relationship between damage to different parts of the brain and coma: the integrity of the brain structure is a necessary condition for the existence of human consciousness. damage to the structure and function of the brain due to various reasons will cause coma of varying degrees.

medulla oblongata and caudal pons: if the lesion is in the medulla oblongata and caudal pons (below the trigeminal nerve) and does not cause coma, decerebrate rigidity may sometimes occur, but the patient is conscious, and the clinically seen infratentorial posterior fossa occupies cerebral ischemia and hypoxia are often caused by increased intracranial pressure, cerebral herniation, etc., and eventually cause coma. however, the coma caused by these diseases is not caused by the medulla oblongata or the caudal pons itself.

from the beginning of the pons to the end of the midbrain: lesions occurring from the beginning of the pons to the end of the midbrain can cause coma, often accompanied by bilateral pupils of pinpoint size, loss of light reflex, central hyperthermia, etc. ,at this time, the patient's electroencephalogram tracing is ,similar to that when awake, but does not respond to stimulation.

the head of the midbrain and the back of the diencephalon: lesions at the head of the midbrain and the back of the diencephalon often cause deep coma. severe damage to the hypothalamus can cause a persistent vegetative state. at this time, the patient's brain waves show slow activity, and the patient no response to stimulation.

thalamus: lesions on one side of the thalamus generally do not directly cause coma, but acute bilateral lesions can often cause coma.

cerebral cortex: chronic damage to one side or localized cerebral hemisphere generally does not cause coma. severe damage to one cerebral hemisphere can often cause coma; bilateral, extensive, and acute damage to the cerebral cortex often causes coma. can cause coma.