Medulla Oblongata: The Brainstem's Vital Control Center

The medulla oblongata (lower brainstem) controls essential autonomic functions:

• Heart rate and blood pressure
• Breathing (respiratory centers)
• Swallowing, sneezing, coughing, vomiting reflexes

It maintains homeostasis by regulating cardiovascular and respiratory activity, and body temperature via cutaneous blood flow. Damage is life-threatening.