The brainstem includes which of the following structures?

The selection of midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata as the structures that compose the brainstem is accurate. The brainstem is a critical part of the central nervous system that connects the brain to the spinal cord and plays a vital role in regulating many essential functions, including heart rate, breathing, and sleeping.

The midbrain acts as a conduit for signals between the forebrain and the hindbrain, and it also contains important centers for vision and hearing. The pons serves as a bridge between various parts of the nervous system, particularly connecting the cerebellum to the rest of the brain, and it plays an essential role in regulating sleep and arousal. The medulla oblongata is responsible for autonomic functions, such as controlling blood pressure and reflexes like swallowing and coughing.

In contrast, the other answer choices include structures that are either part of separate regions of the brain or do not belong to the brainstem. The cerebellum, cortex, and thalamus mentioned in the first option are part of the larger brain structure, not the brainstem. The cerebrum includes the cerebral cortex and areas involved in higher cognitive functions, while the spinal cord is a continuation of the nervous system down into the