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.

Function of the medulla oblongata

• To control autonomic functions (such as breathing and heartbeat)
• To relay nerve messages from the brain to the spinal cord
• Processing of inter-aural time differences for sound localization (olivary nuclei)