INTERNAL STRUCTURE

OF
MEDULLA OBLONGATA
 MEDULLA OBLONGATA
INTRODUCTION

The medulla is the lowest part of brainstem, extending from the lower border of pons to a plane just
above which the first cervical nerve arises where it is continuous with the spinal cord.

It lies in the anterior part of posterior cranial fossa, extending down to the foramen magnum.

Anteriorly, it is related to the clivus and meninges and posteriorly, to the vallecula of the cerebellum.
INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF MEDULLA OBLONGATA

The internal structure of the medulla can be studied conveniently by examining trans-
verse sections through it at three levels.

Transverse Section through the Lower Part of the Medulla Passing through the
Pyramidal Decussation

GREY MATTER
1. The decussating pyramidal fibres separate the anterior horn from the central grey
matter.
2. The nucleus gracilis and the nucleus cuneatus are continuous with the central grey
matter.
3. Laterally, the central grey matter is continuous with the nucleus of the spinal tract
of the trigeminal nerve.
WHITE MATTER
1. The pyramids, anteriorly.
2. The decussation of the pyramidal tracts forms the most important features of the
medulla at this level.
3. The fasciculus gracilis and the fasciculus cuneatus occupy the broad posterior
white column.
Transverse Section through the Middle of Medulla Passing through the Sensory
Decussation

GREY MATTER
1.Lateral to the cuneate nucleus, we see the accessory cuneate nucleus which relay
unconscious proprioceptive fibres from the upper limbs.
2. The lower part of the inferior olivary nucleus is seen.
3. The central grey matter contains the following:
- Hypoglossal nucleus
- Dorsal nucleus of the vagus
- Nucleus of tractus solitaries

WHITE MATTER
1.The nucleus gracilis and cuneatus give rise to the internal arcuate fibres.
2. The medial longitudinal bundle lies posterior to the medial lemniscus.
3. The spinocerebellar, lateral spinothalamic and other tracts lie in the anterolateral
area.
Transverse Section through the Upper Part of Medulla Passing through the
Floor of Fourth Ventricle/Open Part

GREY MATTER
1. The nuclei of several cranial nerves are seen in the floor of the fourth ventricle:
A. The hypoglossal nucleus
B. The dorsal nucleus of the vagus
C. The nucleus of the tractus solitaries
D. The inferior and medial vestibular nuclei
2. The dorsal and ventral cochlear nuclei lie on the surface of the inferior cerebel-
lar peduncle.
3. The inferior olivary nucleus is the largest mass of grey matter seen at this level.

WHITE MATTER
1.The inferior cerebellar peduncle occupies the posterolateral part, lateral to the
fourth ventricle.
2. Striae medullaris (external arcuate fibres) are seen in the floor of the fourth ve-
ntricle.
3. Identify the various ascending tracts in the anterolateral part of medulla.