Which of the following is considered a vital function controlled by the brainstem?

Breathing regulation is indeed a vital function controlled by the brainstem, which plays a crucial role in autonomic functions of the body. The brainstem is responsible for maintaining basic life-sustaining processes, such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. It contains the medulla oblongata, which directly regulates the rhythm and rate of breathing by responding to levels of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the blood. This regulation happens automatically, allowing for continuous respiration without conscious thought.

In contrast, other functions listed involve higher cognitive processes that are managed by different parts of the brain. Memory consolidation is primarily associated with the hippocampus and other areas in the limbic system; decision-making typically involves the frontal lobes, where executive functions are processed; and language processing is linked to specific areas such as Broca's and Wernicke's areas in the cerebral cortex. Therefore, it's clear that breathing regulation is fundamentally tied to the brainstem's role in sustaining essential bodily functions.