The brain stem is composed of the midbrain, pons, and
medulla oblongata. All sensory and motor impulses pass
through the brain stem. Think if it a a giant freeway
interchange. Motor impulses on the way out to the body
decussate or cross over here. That is how the right brain
controls the left side of the body and the left brain the
right. It is due to this crossing over. All sensory feedback
from the body to the brain also passes through this
interchange. Most of the cranial nerves exit the CNS
here.
Why would a person most likely have severe speech,
voice and swallowing problems following damage to the
brain stem?