Body Atlas

The Big Three · Brain

Which part of the brain keeps me breathing?

The oldest part — and the one keeping you alive right now.

The simple answer

Where the brain meets the spinal cord sits a stalk of tissue about the size of your thumb. It has no role in your personality, your memories or your plans — and it is the single most immediately essential part of your brain.

Go deeper

There's more: the oldest part — and the one keeping you alive right now. The full explanation — and the interactive version you can tap and quiz yourself on — lives in the app.

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