Which section of the human brainstem controls involuntary autonomic life-support reflexes, including the regulation of heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Medulla oblongata
- Step 1: The medulla oblongata forms the lowest part of the brainstem, continuous inferiorly with the spinal cord.
- Step 2: It houses vital cardiovascular centers and the dorsal and ventral respiratory groups that detect blood carbon dioxide levels (via pH) and maintain automatic rhythmicity of breathing and cardiac contraction.
Answer
Medulla oblongata
Why not the others: 'Corpus callosum' The corpus callosum is a thick C-shaped nerve tract connecting the left and right cerebral hemispheres; 'Hippocampus' The hippocampus is a limbic structure critical for memory consolidation and spatial navigation; 'Thalamus' The thalamus functions as the primary sensory relay station routing sensory data to the cerebral cortex.
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