| Figure 16a: | Forebrain | Hindbrain | Midbrain |
| Figure 16b: | Cerebellum | Medulla | Pons | Reticular Formation | Thalamus |
Part 1: Image-Mapped Tutorial
Part 2: Matching Self-Test:
16a |
16b
Part 3: Multiple-Choice Self-Test
The Medulla Oblongata (meaning "oblong marrow") lies just inside the skull and above the spinal cord. The medulla controls the vital reflexes underlying heart rate, respiration, vomiting, salivation, sneezing, and coughing via the cranial nerves that have nuclei (clusters of neuronal cell bodies) in this region. The twelve pairs of cranial nerves connect the skin and muscles of the head and the internal organs to the brain. Cranial nerves V through XII have nuclei located in the medulla and pons of the hindbrain. Whereas the nuclei of cranial nerves I through IV are located in the midbrain and forebrain. Most of the cranial nerves have both sensory and motor components. The cranial nerves are covered in more detail in Tutorial 17. Drugs such as the opiates and cocaine have profound effects on the medulla nuclei when taken at high doses; which is why these substances may result in "overdose" and death. Damage to the medulla is often fatal.