Dear Zombie Master: Why the Head?

by Sandra

Dear Zombie Master,

I've been thinking for a while now about why zombies die after a headshot, or having the head damaged in any way. I understand that the brain gives signals for hunger, and by having damage caused to the head, that hunger would disappear. But since zombies are in fact already dead, why do they die a second time? How come they don't just fall to the ground, stand up and continue on?

Thanks,
Sandra

Sandra,

I guess it is time for a short lesson on the brain. It is very complex and there is still plenty that scientists do not know about but there are some fundementals that we can look at that will help answer your question.

The brain is made up of five main parts:

1. The Hypothomalus controls body temperature (you can think of it as your thermostat). This is not really important to a zombie so we will move on.

2. The Pituitary Gland prduces and releases hormones. Unless the zombie in question is a teenager, again not that important to a zombie.

3. The Brain Stem is what connects the brain to the spinal cord which allows control of the rest of the body via the nervous system. This is what controls all involuntary muscles. Breathing, blood flow, the things that just work without us having to think about them. This is relatively important to a zombie but beings that they do not die when gutted (as seen in the original Day of the Dead) it is not that important to "life" but decapitation will put one down (unless it is an O'Bannon zombie but they are extremely rare).

4. The Cerebellum is even more important to a zombie. It controls how your muscles work together (balance, coordination etc). Because of this the zombie can walk towrds the food that it thinks it needs. Still not necessary because cutting the leg off of a zombie will not "kill" them.

5. The Cerebrum: Now we are talking. This controls just about everything. Voluntary muscles, thought processes, reasoning; the right side controls abstract and the left side controls analytical. It is also the part that controls the zombies basic functions and will cease that control when damaged. The good news is that because it is the largest part of the brain (about 85%) you can hit it from any direction.

I hope that this explains why they will continue to be undead when shot in the arm, chest, leg, lower part of the face, etc. but be really dead when your aim is true.

Good hunting and aim high,

The Zombie Master