Medulla Oblongata - Embryology

Embryology

The medulla oblongata forms from the lower (caudal) half of the embryonic rhombencephalon. Neuroblasts from the alar plate of the neural tube at this level will produce the sensory nuclei of the medulla. The basal plate neuroblasts will give rise to the motor nuclei.

• Alar plate neuroblasts give rise to:
  • The solitary nucleus, which contains the general visceral afferent fibers (GVA) for taste, as well as the special visceral afferent (SVA) column.
  • The spinal trigeminal nerve nuclei which contains the general somatic afferent column (GSA).
  • The cochlear and vestibular nuclei, which contain the special somatic afferent (SSA) column.
  • The inferior olivary nucleus, which relays to the cerebellum.
  • The dorsal column nuclei, which contain the gracile and cuneate nuclei.
• Basal plate neuroblasts give rise to:
  • The hypoglossal nucleus, which contains general somatic efferent fibers (GSE).
  • The nucleus ambiguus, which form the special visceral efferent (SVE).
  • The dorsal nucleus of vagus nerve and the inferior salivatory nucleus, both of which form the general visceral efferent fibers.