The medulla oblongata is a portion of the hindbrain that controls autonomic functions such as breathing, digestion, heart and blood vessel function, swallowing, and sneezing. Motor and sensory neurons from the midbrain and forebrain travel through the medulla.

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. The medulla oblongata plays a critical role in transmitting signals between the spinal cord and the higher parts of the brain and in controlling.

Reference Pons: What to Know Written by Martin Taylor Medically Reviewed by Jabeen Begum, MD on October 04, 2022 Your brainstem is the central apparatus of your entire nervous system. One portion.

It houses the centers for vital functions of the body, such as those for the heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. It contains the nuclei of the four inferiormost cranial nerves: the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX), vagus nerve (CN X), accessory nerve (CN XI), and the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII).