Medulla Oblongata

Learning Outcomes
Introduction • The medulla oblongata is a funnel-shaped structure
that constitutes the terminal portion of the
brainstem. It connects the pons with the Spinal Cord.
 Medulla
Oblongata
• It contain many collections of neurons called
nuclei and serves as conduit(pipe funnel) for
ascending and descending tracts.
• A number of cranial nerve nuclei are located
in the gray matter of the medulla oblongata.
• The junction of the medulla and spinal cord is
at the origin of the first cervical spinal nerve,
which corresponds approximately to the level
of the foramen magnum.
 Location of Medulla
➢ Medulla oblongata is inferior to the pons and anterior to the cerebellum.

➢ It is the lowest portion of the hindbrain and is continuous with the spinal cord where it
corresponds to the level of foramen magnum.

➢ The upper region of the medulla forms the fourth cerebral ventricle.
(The fourth ventricle is a cavity filled with cerebrospinal fluid that is continuous with
the cerebral aqueduct.)

➢ The lower portion of the medulla narrows to form portions of the spinal cord's central
canal.
 Anatomical
Features
Anterior Surface: On the anterior surface of
the medulla is the anterior median fissure, which is
continuous inferiorly with the anterior median fissure
of the spinal cord.

• On each side of the median fissure, there is a swelling

called the pyramid.

• Posterolateral to the pyramids are the olives, which

are oval elevations produced by the underlying
inferior olivary nuclei.
 Posterior Surface:
• The posterior surface of the superior half of the
medulla oblongata forms the lower part of the floor
of the fourth ventricle.

• The posterior surface of the medulla possesses a

posterior median sulcus.

• On each side of the median sulcus, there is an

elongated swelling, the gracile tubercle, produced
by the underlying gracile nucleus .

• Lateral to the gracile tubercle is a similar swelling,

the cuneate tubercle, produced by the underlying
cuneate nucleus.
 Cross section
of Medulla
• The Ventral Medulla Has A
Pair Of Triangular Structures =
Pyramids, Within Which Lie
The Pyramidal Tracts
• In The Lower Portion Of
Medulla Above Spinal Cord
Corticospinal Tracts Cross And
Form A Point = Decussation
Of The Pyramids
• Olivary Bodies Are Present
Laterally On Pyramids
 Cranial Nerves
The final four cranial nerves emerge from the medulla oblongata:
G LO S SOP HARY NGEA L N ERV E A C C ES S ORY N ERV E ( C N X I)
(CN IX)
This nerve supplies the
• The glossopharyngeal nerve (cranial
sternocleidomastoid and trapezius
nerve IX) is responsible
muscles.
for swallowing and the gag reflex,
along with other functions.

VA G U S N ERV E ( C N X ) H Y P O GLOSSA L N ERV E ( C N X II )

• The vagus nerve is responsible The hypoglossal nerve enables tongue
for the regulation of internal organ movement. These muscles help you speak,
functions, such as digestion, heart swallow and move substances around in your
rate, and respiratory rate mouth.
 Blood Supply of Medulla
• Medulla oblongata is supplied by the:

• Anterior Spinal Artery

• Posterior Spinal Artery

• Posterior Inferior Cerebellar artery (PICA)

• Anterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery (AICA)

• Vertebral Arteries
 Functions Of Medulla
• The medulla oblongata is involved in the regulation of important sensory, motor, and
mental processes, including;

➢Autonomic function control (breathing, digestion, heart and blood vessel function,
swallowing, sneezing)

➢ Relay of nerve signals between the brain and spinal cord

➢ The medulla also controls involuntary reflexes such as; Swallowing, Sneezing, Gagging

➢ Mood regulation

• Motor and sensory neurons from the midbrain and forebrain travel through the medulla.
As part of the brainstem, the medulla oblongata helps transfer messages between parts of
the brain and spinal cord.
CLINICAL DISORDERS
• Medulloblastoma:
• It is a cancerous tumor starts at the region of brain at base of skull. It creates
compression or destruction of associated tracts. If a person has medulloblastoma, the
following symptoms may occur:

• Headache, Morning nausea or vomiting that gradually gets worse, Clumsiness,

Problems with handwriting, Visual problems.

• Several conditions , such as hydrocephalous , vascular accidents and trauma can

effect contents of brainstem.

• If the tumor has spread to the spinal cord, symptoms may include:

• Back pain

• Trouble walking

• Problems controlling bladder and bowel functions

• Lateral Medullary Syndrome of
Wallenberg:
• It is a vascular disorder of Medulla in which there is obstruction of
the Posterior spinal artery or the posterior inferior cerebellar artery
(PICA) which supplies the dorsolateral part of the medulla.

• SYMPTOMS

• Nystagmus(random eye movement), vomiting, nausea, and vertigo

(dizziness)

• Insensitivity of pain and temperature of the ipsilateral and

contralateral face

• Dysarthria – inability to talk

• Dysphagia – inability to swallow

• Decreased or absent voluntary coordination of movement

 Medial medullary syndrome
(Dejerine):
• Vascular compromise of the anterior spinal artery or
the vertebral artery can also affect blood flow through the
direct medullary arteries that supply the medial medulla.
Clinical presentation includes:

• Contralateral weakness of the trunk and limbs.

• Contralateral loss of position and vibration sense in the

body.

• Ipsilateral flaccid paralysis and atrophy of the tongue.

• Horner's syndrome:
• It is a rare condition.
• It is a combination of signs and symptoms caused
by the disruption of a nerve pathway from the
brain to the face and eye on one side of the body.

• Typically, Horner syndrome results in a decreased

pupil size, a drooping eyelid and decreased sweating
on the affected side of your face.
Thank You