Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Where are the cardiac, vasomotor, and respiratory centers located in the human body?
A
Hypothalamus
B
Thalamus
C
Cerebellum
D
Medulla oblongata
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the role of the cardiac, vasomotor, and respiratory centers. These centers are responsible for regulating vital autonomic functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing.
Step 2: Recall the anatomy of the brainstem, which consists of three main parts: the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata. The medulla oblongata is the lowest part of the brainstem and connects the brain to the spinal cord.
Step 3: Learn that the medulla oblongata houses nuclei that control autonomic functions. Specifically, the cardiac center regulates heart rate, the vasomotor center controls blood vessel diameter and blood pressure, and the respiratory center manages the rhythm of breathing.
Step 4: Compare the functions of other brain regions mentioned in the question. For example, the hypothalamus regulates homeostasis and endocrine functions, the thalamus acts as a relay station for sensory information, and the cerebellum coordinates movement and balance. None of these regions are directly responsible for autonomic control of cardiac, vasomotor, and respiratory functions.
Step 5: Conclude that the medulla oblongata is the correct answer because it is the specific region of the brainstem where these vital autonomic centers are located.