What is the function of medulla oblongata?

The medulla oblongata helps regulate breathing, heart and blood vessel function, digestion, sneezing, and swallowing. This part of the brain is a center for respiration and circulation. Sensory and motor neurons (nerve cells) from the forebrain and midbrain travel through the medulla.Click to see full answer. In this way, what is the function of the medulla oblongata and pons?Besides the medulla oblongata, your brainstem also has a structure called the pons. The pons is a major structure in the upper part of your brainstem. It is involved in the control of breathing, communication between different parts of the brain, and sensations such as hearing, taste, and balance.Subsequently, question is, what happens if medulla is damaged? The medulla oblongata connects our brain and our spinal cord with most of our sensory and motor fibres either crossing into the brain or finishing at this level (Farrell & Dempsey 2013). Damage to the medulla oblongata can result in: Difficulty swallowing. Loss of gag and cough reflex. Similarly, you may ask, what does your medulla oblongata control? The medulla oblongata, also known as the medulla, directly controls certain ANS responses, such as heart rate, breathing, blood vessel dilation, digestion, sneezing, swallowing and vomiting. It is a portion of the brainstem, located just below the pons and just above the spinal cord.Why is it called medulla oblongata?Medulla oblongata, also called medulla, the lowest part of the brain and the lowest portion of the brainstem. The medulla oblongata plays a critical role in transmitting signals between the spinal cord and the higher parts of the brain and in controlling autonomic activities, such as heartbeat and respiration.