Final answer:
The special sensory fibers travel through the brainstem before reaching the brain. The brainstem acts as a relay station, connecting the rest of the brain with the spinal cord.
Step-by-step explanation:
The special sensory fibers travel through the brainstem before reaching the brain. The brainstem acts as a relay station, connecting the rest of the brain with the spinal cord. Motor and sensory neurons extend through the brainstem, allowing signals to be relayed between the brain and spinal cord. It also coordinates important functions such as alertness, breathing, heart rate, and sensory and motor information integration.