What passes along the medulla oblongata?

The sensory components originate at the posterior one-third of the tongue, parts of the pharynx and palate, and the carotid neck arteries. The motor components originate in the motor nuclei of the medulla oblongata. The glossopharyngeal nerves pass through the jugular foramina, between the occipital and temporal bones.

Where does medulla oblongata arise from?

During embryonic development, the medulla oblongata develops from the myelencephalon. The myelencephalon is a secondary vesicle which forms during the maturation of the rhombencephalon, also referred to as the hindbrain.

What does the medulla oblongata process?

The medulla oblongata carries signals from the brain to the rest of the body for essential life functions like breathing, circulation, swallowing, and digestion.

What does the foramen magnum pass through?

The foramen magnum functions as a passage of the central nervous system through the skull connecting the brain with the spinal cord. On either side of the foramen magnum is an occipital condyle.

Where is the medulla oblongata located in the brain?

These three collaborating structures are located in front of the cerebellum at the base of the brain and connect to the spinal cord. 1  Made up of both white and gray matter, the cone-shaped medulla oblongata is formed about 20 weeks into gestation from the end of the neural tube in embryos.

Where does the medulla merge with the spinal cord?

The medulla oblongata is the most posterior part of the brainstem and merges with the spinal cord at, or just posterior to, the foramen magnum. The internal structure of the medulla differs from the spinal cord, partly as a result of the decussation of the pyramidal tracts.

Where do motor fibres cross over in the medulla oblongata?

The majority of motor fibres passing down from the pons to the spinal cord cross over to the opposite side inthe medulla oblongata, and tracts of sensory fibres carrying proprioception (position sense from receptors in muscles and tendons) also cross over in this area.

Where does the medulla oblongata control voluntary movements?

The corticospinal tracts control voluntary movements of the limbs and trunk. Just superior to the junction of the medulla oblongata with the spinal cord, 90% of the axons in the left pyramid cross to the right side, and 90% of the axons in the right pyramid cross to the left side.