The medulla oblongata is the lowest part of the brainstem: it sits below the pons, in front of and partly below the cerebellum, and continues as the spinal cord where it leaves the skull through the foramen magnum. [1][2]
The 3D brain needs JavaScript. The text below still says where the medulla oblongata is and what it does.
Slice
Opens cut by a side (sagittal) slice through the medulla oblongata. Drag to turn, pinch or scroll to zoom, tap any part to name it; .
A long stem-like structure making up the lower part of the brainstem, anterior and partially inferior to the cerebellum. [1]
At its lower end it is continuous with the spinal cord, at the level of the foramen magnum and the first cervical vertebra. [1][2]
Its upper, “open” part has the fourth ventricle on its back surface; its lower, “closed” part surrounds a short continuation of the spinal cord’s central canal. [1]
On its front surface run two ridges, the pyramids, with an oval bulge on each side, the olive. [1]
It develops from the myelencephalon, the rearmost part of the hindbrain. [1]
What it does
Responsible for autonomic (involuntary) functions, from vomiting to sneezing: it contains the cardiovascular centre, the respiratory centre and the vomiting and vasomotor centres. [1]
Two of the three respiratory groups of neurons are in the medulla (the dorsal and ventral respiratory groups); they control the basic rhythm of breathing. [3]
With the pons it regulates the cardiovascular and respiratory systems and their rates. [4]
Connections
Most corticospinal (voluntary movement) fibres cross to the opposite side in the lower medulla, at the decussation of the pyramids; this is why each side of the brain moves the opposite side of the body. [1][5]
To the cerebellum through the inferior cerebellar peduncles. [6]
Nuclei of the glossopharyngeal (IX), vagus (X), accessory (XI) and hypoglossal (XII) cranial nerves lie in the medulla. [1][7]
Inside it
The olivary nuclei under the olives, the nuclei of four cranial nerves, and part of the reticular formation. [1]
Other names
Often just called the medulla; in embryology, the myelencephalon. From Latin: medulla, “pith, marrow”, and oblongata, “lengthened, elongated”. [1]
Size
On this model the medulla oblongata measures about 33 mm front to back, 41 mm top to bottom and 27 mm side to side (the box it fits in, not its volume). [8]
Centre of the medulla oblongata compared with the centre of the pons: 9 mm further back, 22 mm lower; 24 mm apart in a straight line. [8]
Centre of the medulla oblongata compared with the centre of the cerebellum: 27 mm further forward, 18 mm lower; 32 mm apart in a straight line. [8]
Facts describe anatomy and normal function only. The 3D model is the adult male BodyParts3D brain (credits and licence); real brains vary in size and shape, so its measurements describe one model, not anyone’s brain.