Question

Which of the following is mismatched?

• A. Cerebrum - Memory
• B. Olfactory lobes - Sense of smell
• C. Cerebellum - Equilibrium of body
• D. Medulla oblongata - Temperature regulation

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

It is a part of the hindbrain which includes pons, medulla oblongata, and cerebellum. It connects with the pons superiorly and with the spinal cord inferiorly. The medulla oblongata is conical in shape with the broad extremities directed upwards. It is present between the two lobes of the cerebellum. The upper half of the medulla expands and contains the fourth ventricle where CSF is present and the central canal of the spinal cord continues upward into the lower half of the medulla.

Functions of medulla oblongata:
1. It connects the higher level of the brain to the spinal cord.
2.It regulates the functions of the autonomic nervous system which include:

• Respiration-chemoreceptors (responsible for maintaining the basic rhythm of breathing)
• Cardiac center- Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system (regulates the heart rate, the force of the heartbeat, and diameter of blood vessels)
• Vasomotor center- Baroreceptors (regulates blood pressure)
• Reflex centers of vomiting, coughing, sneezing, and swallowing

It controls all these through cranial nerves. If it is damaged then people often die.
Temperature regulation is done by the hypothalamus, not by the medulla oblongata. The hypothalamus is the most ventral part of the diencephalon and lies below the thalamus.