Medulla, pons and midbrain sections with important nuclei and tracts

• Medulla, pons and midbrain form the brainstem, linking spinal cord to cerebellum and forebrain, each with a grey matter nuclear core and surrounding white matter tracts.
• Internal structure of each part is studied by examining transverse sections at defined levels, from lower medulla to upper midbrain.

Medulla Oblongata

• Medulla oblongata: lowest brainstem part, bulb shaped, foramen magnum to lower pons border.
  • Contains cardiac, vasomotor and respiratory centres, and IX to XII cranial nerve nuclei.
  • Ventral landmarks: the pyramid and olive.

ventral (anterior) surface of the brainstem Ventral (anterior) surface of the brainstem.

Grey and white matter of the medulla by transverse level