Medulla oblongata

The lowest portion of the brainstem. Here in the transition region to the spinal cord are important nuclear regions (olive, pyramid, gracile nucleus, cuneate nucleus), the cranial nerve nuclei of nerves V-XII as well as the centers of respiratory control. Important pathways are the medial lemniscus (somatosensory), lateral lemniscus (auditory) and vestibulospinal tract.