Medulla oblongata

The medulla oblongata is the lower portion of the brainstem. By anatomical terms of location, it is rostral to the spinal cord and caudal to the pons, which is in turn ventral to the cerebellum. For a human or other bipedal species, this means it is above the spinal cord, below the pons, and anterior to the cerebellum. It controls autonomic functions and relays nerve signals between the brain and spinal cord.

Blood supply

Blood to the medulla is supplied by a number of arteries.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• Direct branches of the vertebral artery
• Posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA)
• Anterior spinal artery

The anterior spinal artery supplies the whole medial part of the medulla oblongata. A blockage (such as in a stroke) will injure the pyramidal tract, medial lemniscus and the hypoglossal nucleus. This causes a syndrome called medial medullary syndrome.

Related Topics:
Stroke - Pyramidal tract - Medial lemniscus - Hypoglossal nucleus - Medial medullary syndrome

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The posterior inferior cerebellar artery, a major branch of the vertebral artery, supplies the posterolateral part of the medulla, where the main sensory tracts run and synapse. (As the name implies, it also supplies some of the cerebellum.)

Related Topics:
Synapse - Cerebellum

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The vertebral artery supplies an area between the other two main arteries, including the nucleus solitarius and other sensory nuclei and fibres. Lateral medullary syndrome can be caused by occlusion of either the PICA or the vertebral arteries.

Related Topics:
Nucleus solitarius - Lateral medullary syndrome

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~