Where in the human body would you find the medulla oblongata?

Your medulla oblongata looks like a rounded bulge at the end of your brain stem, or the part of your brain that connects with your spinal cord. It also lies in front of the part of your brain called the cerebellum. Your cerebellum looks like a tiny brain joined onto the back of your brain. In fact, its name literally translates to “little brain” from Latin. The hole in your skull that lets your spinal cord pass through is called your foramen magnum. Your medulla oblongata is located at about the same level or slightly above this hole. The top of your medulla creates the floor of the fourth ventricle of your brain. Ventricles are cavities filled with cerebral spinal fluid that help provide your brain with nutrients.

Despite its small size, your medulla oblongata has many essential roles. It’s critical for relaying information between your spinal cord and brain. It also regulates your cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Four of your 12 cranial nerves. Trusted Source originate on this region. Your brain and spine communicate through columns of nerve fibres that run through your medulla called spinal tracts. These tracts can be ascending (send information toward your brain) or descending (carry information to your spinal cord). Each of your spinal tracts carries a specific type of information. For example, your lateral spinothalamic tract carries information related to pain and temperature.