Components and Functions of the Medulla Oblongata and Pons

Nucleus gracilis and Nucleus cuneatus

Region: Medulla Oblongata

Subdivision: Gray matter

Function: Relay somatic sensory information to the thalamus

Olivary nuclei

Region: Medulla Oblongata

Subdivision: Gray matter

Function: Located within the olives; relay information from the red nucleus, other nuclei of the midbrain, and the cerebral cortex to the cerebellum

Solitary nucleus

Region: Medulla Oblongata

Subdivision: Gray matter

Function: Integrates and relays visceral sensory information to autonomic processing centers

Cardiac centers

Component: Reflex center

Region: Medulla Oblongata

Subdivision: Gray matter

Function: Regulate heart rate and force of contraction

Vasomotor centers

Component: Reflex centers

Region: Medulla Oblongata

Subdivision: Gray matter

Function: Regulate distribution of blood flow

Respiratory Rhythmicity centers

Component: Reflex centers

Region: Medulla Oblongata

Subdivision: Gray matter

Function: Set the pace of respiratory movements

Other nuclei/centers

Region: Medulla Oblongata

Subdivision: Gray matter

Function: Contain sensory and motor nuclei of cranial nerves VIII(in part), IX,X,XI(in part), and XII; relay ascending sensory information from the spinal cord to higher centers

Ascending and Descending tracts

Region: Medulla Oblongata

Subdivision: White matter

Function: Link the brain with the spinal cord

Nuclei associated with Cranial Nerves V,VI,VII, and VIII(in part)

Region: Pons

Subdivision: Gray matter

Function: Relay sensory information and issue somatic motor commands

Apneustic and Pneumotaxic centers

Region: Pons

Subdivision: Gray matter

Function: Adjust activities of the respiratory rhythmicity centers in the medulla oblongata

Relay centers

Region: Pons

Subdivision: Gray matter

Function: Relay sensory and motor information to the cerebellum

Ascending tracts

Region: Pons

Subdivision: White matter

Function: Carry sensory information from the nucleus cuneatus and nucleus gracilis to the thalamus

Descending tracts

Region: Pons

Subdivision: White matter

Function: Carry motor commands from higher centers to motor nuclei of cranial or spinal nerves