Kaplan Nursing Entrance Exam Practice 2025 – Comprehensive Prep

The medulla oblongata is a crucial part of the brainstem that serves as a control center for several vital autonomic functions necessary for survival. It is primarily responsible for regulating involuntary functions such as breathing and heart rate.

Breathing is controlled by centers in the medulla that respond to changes in carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in the blood, adjusting the rate and depth of breaths to maintain homeostasis. Additionally, the medulla plays a key role in controlling heart rate through the cardiac center, which modulates the autonomic nervous system's influence on the heart, assisting in maintaining blood pressure and circulation adequacy.

The other functions mentioned are controlled by different brain regions. Pain and temperature regulation are primarily managed by the thalamus and somatosensory pathways. Coordination of muscle activity is primarily overseen by the cerebellum, which processes information from the sensory systems to fine-tune movements. Light focusing in the eye is a function of the visual processing areas in the brain, specifically involving the occipital lobe and the visual cortex, which interpret signals from the retina.

Recognizing the medulla oblongata's specific role in maintaining essential life functions such as breathing and heart rate highlights its importance in the autonomic nervous