🧠 Nervous System🟢 BasicBrainstem

The Medulla Oblongata

The lowest part of the brainstem, joining the brain to the spinal cord, that houses the vital centres controlling breathing, heartbeat and blood pressure.

Key points

The medulla oblongata is the lowest part of the brainstem, continuous with the spinal cord below and the pons above.
It contains the vital networks (often called centres) that control breathing, heart rate and blood pressure, so serious injury here is rapidly fatal.
On its front are the pyramids, carrying the motor (corticospinal) fibres, most of which cross to the other side here at the decussation of the pyramids.
Beside the pyramids are the olives, bulges made by the underlying olivary nuclei that relay information to the cerebellum.
The medulla holds nuclei of the lower cranial nerves (nine to twelve), which contribute to swallowing, the voice, and movement of the tongue.
A blocked blood vessel to one side of the medulla causes a characteristic pattern of crossed signs, affecting the face on one side and the body on the other.

Memory trick

The vital brainstem floor: pyramids (motor, decussate here), olives (to cerebellum), cranial nerves nine to twelve, and the centres for breathing and heartbeat.

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🧠 Nervous System🟢 BasicBrainstem

The Medulla Oblongata

The lowest part of the brainstem, joining the brain to the spinal cord, that houses the vital centres controlling breathing, heartbeat and blood pressure.

Key points

The medulla oblongata is the lowest part of the brainstem, continuous with the spinal cord below and the pons above.
It contains the vital networks (often called centres) that control breathing, heart rate and blood pressure, so serious injury here is rapidly fatal.
On its front are the pyramids, carrying the motor (corticospinal) fibres, most of which cross to the other side here at the decussation of the pyramids.
Beside the pyramids are the olives, bulges made by the underlying olivary nuclei that relay information to the cerebellum.
The medulla holds nuclei of the lower cranial nerves (nine to twelve), which contribute to swallowing, the voice, and movement of the tongue.
A blocked blood vessel to one side of the medulla causes a characteristic pattern of crossed signs, affecting the face on one side and the body on the other.

Memory trick

The vital brainstem floor: pyramids (motor, decussate here), olives (to cerebellum), cranial nerves nine to twelve, and the centres for breathing and heartbeat.

All of Anatomy More Nervous System