What are the funtions of the medulla?

Answer 1

The medulla is the lower part of the brain stem. It includes areas such as the medial lemniscus, the pyramids, the inferior cerebellar peduncle and also has the hyperglossal nucleus and vestibular nuclei.

The medial lemniscus consists of ascending axons carrying sensory information from the limbs to higher to higher centres in the brain.

The Pyramids include descending motor fibres which start from the cerebral cortex and descend to the spinal cord.

The inferior cerebellar peduncles carry information from muscles and joints to the cerebellum.

The hyperglossal nucleus is the origin of the hyperglossal nerve and this is where nerve fibres lie. It innervated tongue muscles.

And finally, the vestibular is where the vestibular nerve ends. Most of the nerve fibres bring in information about balance and equilibrium from the cerebellum.

So basically, the medulla is a place in the brain where sensory and motor pathways come through and leave to either go up towards the brain or down to the spinal cord to integrate and coordinate movement.