Some may confuse the medulla oblongata with the spinal cord, as some have not heard of the medulla oblongata before, despite its essential role for the continuation of life, and in the following article we will talk about the anatomy of the medulla oblongata, its function, and the diseases that may affect it.

What is the medulla oblongata?

The medulla oblongata is part of the brain, a tail-like structure located at the base of the brain; To connect the brain with the spinal cord.

What is the shape and location of the medulla oblongata?

This cone-shaped medulla looks like a circular bulge at the end of the brain stem, and is located Location of the medulla oblongata In front of the part of the brain called the cerebellum, at or slightly higher than the foramen magnum (an opening in the skull that allows the spinal cord to pass through).

The medulla oblongata is formed around the 20th week of pregnancy from the end of the neural tube, and it is divided into:

• The superior section, which is the open part, is connected to the fourth ventricle of the brain (cavities filled with cerebrospinal fluid to supply nutrients to the brain).
• The lower part (Inferior section), which is the closed part, and is connected to the spinal cord.

In addition, it contains:

• White matter: It contains fibers and nerve cells covered with a substance called Myelin. For protection and acceleration of electrical signals.
• Gray matter: contains the bodies of nerve cells.

function of the medulla oblongata

Despite its small size, the medulla oblongata has many essential roles that it plays in maintaining life, as it is important in:

• Transfer of information between the spinal cord and the brain.
• It regulates the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
• The brain and spine are connected by columns of nerve fibers that pass through it, called the spinal tract, and which serve to transmit information from the brain to the spinal cord and vice versa.

In addition to the above, four out of 12 cranial nerves originate in this region, and they include the following:

• Cranial nerve 9: Also called the glossopharyngeal nerve, it controls swallowing, taste, and saliva production.
• Cranial nerve 10: This is called the vagus nerve, and plays a role in breathing, heart function, digestion, and hormones.
• Cranial nerve 11: which is called the accessory nerve, and controls the muscles of the upper back and neck.
• Cranial nerve 12: which is called the hypoglossal nerve, and controls tongue movement, speech, and swallowing.

What happens if the medulla oblongata is damaged?

If a part of this medulla is damaged, it may lead to an inability to transmit a certain type of message between the body and the mind. Some types of information it carries that can be affected by damage to this medulla include:

• Pain and sensation.
• Conscious control of the muscles.
• eye function.

So different types of problems can occur if the medulla oblongata is damaged, whether it is due to a stroke or a sudden head injury.

Diseases of the medulla oblongata

Diseases that may affect the medulla oblongata include:

1. Parkinson’s disease

Scientists believe that brain degeneration begins in the medulla oblongata before spreading to other parts of the brain. Parkinson’s disease usually leads to dysfunction of the heart and blood vessels.

2. Wallenberg syndrome

Also known as lateral spinal cord syndrome, it often results from a stroke near the spinal cord. Some of its symptoms include: difficulty swallowing, loss of pain and a feeling of heat in one half of the face, as well as nausea and vomiting.

3. Dejerine syndrome

Also known as medial myelin syndrome, this is a rare condition that occurs in less than 1%. Symptoms include:

• Tongue weakness on the same side of the brain damage.
• Loss of sensation on the other side of the brain damage.
• Paralysis of the limbs on the other side of the brain damage.

4. Reinhold syndrome

Also known as hemispheresis syndrome, this is extremely rare (only about 10 people have it), and symptoms include:

• Sensory loss on one side.
• Unilateral loss of muscle control.

5. Bilateral medulla syndrome

Bilateral medial medullary syndrome is a rare complication of stroke (occurs in less than 1%). Among its symptoms: respiratory arrest, and weak tongue.

How to keep the medulla oblongata healthy

• Follow a healthy diet, rich in omega-3 and low in saturated fats, in addition to containing vegetables, fruits and whole grains.
• Good sleep, sleeping about 7 to 9 hours a night helps the health of the medulla oblongata.
• Regular exercise, which helps in the process of blood flow to the brain.
• Stop smoking, and it helps maintain the heart and blood circulation in the body.