Medulla Oblongata

Medulla oblongata, also called Medulla, the lowest part of

the brain and the lowest portion of the brainstem. The
medulla oblongata is connected by the pons to the
midbrain and is continuous posteriorly with the spinal cord,
with which it merges at the opening (foramen magnum) at
the base of the skull.
Like the cerebrum and cerebellum, the medulla consists of
both myelinated (white matter) and unmyelinated (gray
matter) nerve fibres. In the medulla, however, the normal
anatomic relationship of the two is reversed, with the white
matter on the outside and the gray matter on the inside,
around the fourth ventricle (a fluid-filled cavity formed by
the expansion of the central canal of the spinal cord upon
entering the brain).

A complex network of medullary nerve cells
and processes from elsewhere in
the CNS enables the medulla to carry on
complex integrative functions. The medulla
also contains several functional centres that
control autonomic nervous activity, regulating
respiration, heart rate, and digestive process.
Other activities of the medulla include control
of movement, relaying of somatic sensory
information from internal organs, and control
of arousal and sleep.
The last seven cranial nerves emerge from the
medulla, which influences their functional
activities. Injuries or disease affecting the middle
portion of the medulla may produce paralysis of
the opposite side of the body, loss of the senses
of touch and position, or partial paralysis of the
tongue. Injuries or disease of the lateral medulla
may cause loss of pain and temperature
sensations, loss of the gag reflex, difficulty in
swallowing, vertigo, vomitting, or loss of
coordination.
Functions
The medulla oblongata
controls autonomic functions, and connects the
higher levels of the brain to the spinal cord. It is
also responsible for regulating several basic
functions of the ANS
Respiration chemoreceptors
Cardiac center sympathetic, parasympathetic
system
Vasomotor center baroreceptors
Reflex centers of vomiting, coughing, sneezing,
and swallowing