The medulla oblongata is the most inferior part of the brain stem at the very base of the brain,the pons and midbrain are situated superiorly. It contains the "vital reflex center" and is a two way conduction pathway between the spinal cord below and the rest of the brain above.
The medulla controls cardiac function, respiratory function, and vasomotor centers. The vasomotor centers help determine the size, dilation or constriction, of the arteries in the cardiovascular system which play a large role in the regulation of blood pressure.
Because the medulla is critical to several important physiological functions, injury by trauma or disease almost always proves fatal.
No comments:
Post a Comment