Schematic internal structure

Nuclei and fasciculi related to the cranial nerves

• Spinal nucleus of the trigeminal nerve (V)

• Inferior salivatory nucleus (IX)
• Dorsal nucleus of vagus nerve (X), parasympathetic

• Nucleus of the hypoglossus nerve (XII)

Other nuclei

• Inferior olivary complex
  • Inferior olivary nucleus
  • Medial and posterior accessory olivary nuclei
• Nucleus ambiguus (common nucleus of three nerves)
  • Upper part: glossopharyngeal nerve (IX)
  • Axial section through the decussation of sensitive tracts
  • Posterior view of the brainstem
  • Middle part: vagus nerve(X)
  • Axial section through the middle part of the medulla oblongata
  • Posterior view of the brainstem
  • Inferior part: accessory nerve (XI)

Other tracts

• Solitary tract 
  Fibres from the intermediate nerve (part of facial nerve VII), glossopharyngeal (XI) and vagus (X) nerves
• Medial longitudinal fasciculus
  Association tract of motor nuclei
  Links the motor nuclei of cranial nerves, the vestibular apparatus to the oculomotor and cervical nerves and the extrapyramidal system. This is how the muscle groups coordinate.
• Dorsal longitudinal fasciculus
  Association tract of parasympathetic nuclei
  →Autonomic motricity
• Spinal lemniscus
  Group of tracts in prolongation of the spinal cord. Contains, in particular, the lateral and anterior spinothalamic tracts

Reticular formation

• Medial (o)
• Lateral (+)