Nervous System: Brain vs. Spinal Cord

[Stealthbird97]

Hey guys, First tiem poster here.

Can someone tell me exactly what Vital Functions are controlled by the Brain Stem and the Spine.

I would have thought the Brain stem would control pretty much most vital functions but when people break their necks quite high up, their vital organs still function and even if they break their back lower down their lower organs, Intestines, Kidneys, Liver etc still work.

I've read that the brain stem controls swallowing, breathing, and vasomotor control but surly if people break their necks (and damage the spinal cord) in the Cervical Region and still survive.

Does this mean that If the Brain Stem is cut off from the rest of the nervous system, the spine can take over theses functions?
Or the Neurons of the Autonomic Nervous System that the signals from the Brain Stem for the Organs don't go down the Spine?

Requests:
A list of the Organs the Brain and the Spinal Cord Control themselves (alone)
An explanation of the scenario above.

Thanks in Advance.

I'm working on a project about the Nervous System.

[Stealthbird97]

Bump

[jinx25]

http://webcast.berkeley.edu/playlist#c, ... 54E8896D0E

Lecture ~ 25 down on the sidebar