Medulla oblongata: what is it, parts, characteristics and functions

In our day to day we carry out endless actions automatically and it is not usual for us to stop to think about what mechanisms are activated in our brain. The brain stem is one of the most important parts of the brain in regulating the basic functions of the body. This is made up of 3 parts: midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata. The latter is a structure that is only three centimeters long and two wide. However, it is vitally important to our survival. Are you interested in knowing what it is about? Find out in this Psychology-Online article which will delve into what is the medulla oblongata, its location, parts, characteristics and functions.

Index

1. Definition and location of the medulla oblongata
2. Parts of the medulla oblongata and characteristics
3. Medulla oblongata functions
4. Importance of the medulla oblongata

The medulla oblongata (also called medulla oblongata) or usually only a “bulb” is located in the myeloid brain. Specifically, it is located

In the next article, you will find more information about the parts of the brain and their functions.

The medulla oblongata or medulla oblongata is the superior continuation of the spinal cord. It is divided by a median raphe, and on each side shows anterolateral and posterolateral grooves, through the which leave the roots of the hypoglossal (XII) and the glossopharyngeal (IX), vagus and accessory nerves (XI). The grooves divide the bulb into anterior, lateral and posterior regions, consisting of the pyramids, the olives above and the beginning of the lateral columns of the medulla below, and the middle inferior of the floor of the IV ventricle in the superior portion, as well as the beginning of the posterior columns of the spinal cord by below.

A section through the upper half of the bulb shows a convoluted U shape and consists of sheets of gray matter dorsal to the pyramids, the lower olive nuclei. Many fibers emerge from the open medial ends of these nuclei clusters to penetrate the opposite inferior cerebellar (caudal) peduncles. The parts of the medulla oblongata and their characteristics are explained schematically below:

External configuration

Let's look at the external parts of the medulla oblongata:

• Previous face: the pyramids separated by the anterior median sulcus located in the midline. This sulcus is interrupted by motor decussation. Outside the pyramids are the bulbar olives. The olives are separated from the pyramids by the preolivar groove. This face is crossed by the vertebral arteries that later fuse and form the basilar artery or trunk.
• Upper side: presents a posterior median sulcus in the midline continuation of the posterior medullary sulcus bordered, on each side, by the posterior cord, subdivided in turn by a small paramedian groove in Goll's cord or graceful fascicle and Burdach's cord or fascicle cuneiform.
• Side face: posterior to the olives, in which the glossopharyngeal (IX), vagus (X) and accessory or spinal (XI) cranial nerves originate.

Internal configuration

Regarding the internal parts of the medulla oblongata, we find:

• Bulbar pyramids: The bundles of nerve fibers that connect the cortex with the medulla oblongata and the spine are located in the pyramids. Here the pyramidal decussation occurs and there is a crossing of the nerve fibers from one side to the other. This explains why the cerebral cortex is in charge of controlling movements to the opposite side of the body.
• Lemnisci: they transmit information between the brain and the spinal cord. They are responsible for head position movements or eye movements, among others.
• Olive complex: three are considered: the main olive and the ventral and dorsal accessory ones. They receive input from the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, and midbrain mainly through the central tagmental bundle. It sends its effusions mainly as olivocerebellar fibers. They regulate voluntary muscle movements.

Nuclei

We continue with the parts of the medulla oblongata. Next we will see that the medulla oblongata or medulla oblongata is made up of the following nuclei:

• Trigeminal nucleus: transmits information about pain, temperature and touch.
• Dorsal vagus nucleus: control the enteric nervous system.
• Ambiguous core: the nerves begin: vagus, glossopharyngeal and accessory. They take care of the muscles of the pharynx and larynx
• Nucleus of the solitary tract: regulates the sensitivity of the viscera and plays a fundamental role in taste perception

The medulla oblongata is of vital importance to thesurvival of the human being. His injury would produce large deficits in our day to day. Here are some of its functions. Let's see which ones there are:

1. Control the heart rate, blood pressure, blood pressure and vasoconstriction.
2. Participate in nutrition and digestion. Regulating the secretion of substances gastric and swallowing.
3. Control the breathing.
4. It also controls the cough and the sneeze.
5. It is important in maintaining the awareness and attention. It is a critical mechanism involved in the hyperactivity deficit disorder (ADHD).
6. It takes care of the transfer of information between the peripheral and central nervous systems.

As has been reflected in this article, the brainstem or brainstem is a very important part of our brain. The fact that he is involved in the transmission of impulses in the brain, makes it indispensable.

What consequences would lesions have on the medulla oblongata? Damage to this organ would mean a failure in the aforementioned functions, such as possible cardiac or respiratory arrest.

This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

If you want to read more articles similar to Medulla oblongata: what is it, parts, characteristics and functions, we recommend that you enter our category of Neuropsychology.

• Carlson, N.R. (2014). Behavioral Physiology (11th Edition). Madrid: Pearson Education.
• Del Abril Alonso, A,. Ambrosio Flores, E., by Blas Calleja M. A, Caminero Gómez, A, A. Lecumberri, C. G and Pablo González, J, M. (2016) Fundamentals of Psychobiology, 1st edition, Madrid: Sanz y Torres