It is likely that the accident caused damage to Ian's "Medulla".
Option: B
Explanation:
The medulla oblongata is anterior to (before) the cerebellum, in the brain stem. This is a cone-shaped, neuronal mass that regulates a variety of autonomous activities in the hindbrain. This brain portion helps relay signals from the body into the spinal cord and the thalamus that is in the brain.
The oblongata medulla helps to regulate function of the breathing, heart and blood flow, coughing, sneezing, and vomiting. The region of the brain is a respiratory and circulatory centre. Sensory and motor neurons (nerve cells) migrate through the medulla from both the forebrain and midbrain. Disruption of it will result in swallowing difficulty, gag failure and cough reflex.
