A vegetative state occurs when the cerebrum (the part of the brain that controls thought
and behavior) no longer functions, but the hypothalamus and brain stem
(the parts of the brain that control vital functions, such as sleep cycles,
body temperature, breathing, blood pressure, heart rate, and consciousness)
continue to function. Thus, people open their eyes and appear awake but otherwise
do not respond to stimulation in any meaningful way.
植物狀態發生在大腦(控制思想和行為的大腦部分)不再起作用,而下丘腦和腦幹
(控制生命功能的大腦部分,如睡眠週期,體溫,呼吸, 血壓,心率和意識)繼續發揮作用。
因此,人們睜開眼睛看起來清醒,但不會以任何有意義的方式對刺激做出反應。