Final answer:
The reticular formation in the brainstem is responsible for alerting you to important stimuli such as your name, and regulates arousal and wakefulness.
Step-by-step explanation:
The region of your brainstem that plays a role in arousing you to a state of alertness when someone nearby mentions your name is the reticular formation. This area is a diffuse network of neurons located throughout the brainstem, which is responsible for regulating sleep, wakefulness, and levels of arousal. The reticular formation is a diffuse region of gray matter throughout the brainstem that is related to sleep and wakefulness, general brain activity, and attention. It is responsible for processing cranial nerve information and regulating the overall level of arousal in the brain.
The reticular formation acts as a sentinel, filtering out unnecessary information but alerting you when specific, important stimuli, such as your name, are detected. It works in conjunction with other parts of the brain to prepare your body to respond appropriately.