Why is trauma to the base of the brain much more dangerous than trauma to the frontal lobes?

Answer 1

There are important structures in the base brain that control breathing, metabolism and other essential life sustaining issues.

The frontal is more Analytical thinking, refraining from saying odd things. Emotional stuff.

Answer 2

All of the brain communicates through the spinal cord (at the base of the brain) with the rest of the body. A lobe trauma will only effect the functions of that lobe. Trauma to the base effects all of the communication of the brain with the body. Also the base is where many functions very important to life are regulated.

Answer 3

The base of the brain is the "primitive" brain -- the non-thinking part that controls your heartbeat, respiration, and other vital bodily functions. Damage there causes loss of those functions and certain death.

Damage to the frontal lobes leaves the vital function control of the brain working fine, but can lead to loss of memory, consciousness, ability to think, and ability to control your limbs and other muscles. People can live for a very long time with frontal lobe damage, even though they might not be able to think or move, as long as they're kept fed (if necessary by artificial means).

Answer 4

the brain stem is where all of our motor skills are controlled, breathing, heart beat, stuff like that. The frontal lobe is where we have our personalities. Ever hear of Phineus Gage? Back in the 1800's he was involved in an accident where an explosion shot a metal rod throught his cheek and out the top of his head, tearing away part of his frontal lobe. Before the accident he was friendly and quite, after the accident his entire personallity changed and he became crass and loud. That is also why lobotomies were performed. (though I dont know if they still do that anymore)

Answer 5

I have a friend that is missing part of his frontal lobe. It seems that that area controls inhibitions. He had to relearn all of the little social do's and don'ts after his injury. I would think that an injury in the base would screw up the spinal signals to the brain and/or cause problems with blood flow.

Answer 6

Because the base of the brain controls vital functions such as breathing and heart rate. The frontal lobes are more concerned with judgement and behavior.

Answer 7

Frontal lobes control personality and planning, the base of the brain controls vital functions. You can live without personality and planning but you can't live without blood pressure, breathing or heart rate control.

Answer 8

If I remember right, the base of the brain controls many of the bodies essential functions, such as breathing and and your heart. Essentially, the stuff you don't have to think about. Whereas the frontal lobes control "higher" functions such as thinking and decision making.

Answer 9

Because the base of the brain is attached to the spinal cord, which in turn is attached to the nerves, the nerves are attached to everything else. Damage to the C (cervical) 2-4 spinal disks is the worst, because those nerves control breathing.

Answer 10

Autonomic functions reside in the lower part of the brain.

This would be things like breathing, Blood Pumping, Eating.

So the upper portion of the brain handles all the thinking stuff. What you like don't like, memory that sort of thing.

So while damage to the upper part of the brain lowers the quality of life damage to the lower part of the brain could result in biological failure.