She died of sepsis from a ruptured intestine. ( 1 CNN)Actress Patty Duke died Tuesday as a result of sepsis from a ruptured intestine, according to Mitchell K. Stubbs & Associates, the agency that represented her. She was 69.
How Your Brain Works. The basic lower brain consists of the spinal cord, brain stem and diencephalon (the cerebellum and cortex are also present, but will be discussed in later sections). In turn, the brain stem comprises the medulla, pons, midbrain, hypothalamus and thalamus [source: Health Pages].
Your brain is a fascinating machine. This three-pound organ contains a staggering 100 billion brain cells. It can process thoughts at thousands of miles per second. It contains left and right hemispheres, each dealing with specific functions. And its cortical networks can rewire themselves, effectively remapping the mind.