Brain & Nervous System Stroke Overview of a Stroke of the Medulla Oblongata By Jose Vega MD, PhD linkedin Jose Vega MD, PhD, is a board-certified neurologist and published researcher specializing in stroke. Learn about our editorial process Jose Vega MD, PhD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD on December 02, 2019 linkedin Diana Apetauerova, MD, is board-certified in neurology with a subspecialty in movement disorders. She is an associate clinical professor of neurology at Tufts University. Learn about our Medical Review Board Diana Apetauerova, MD on December 02, 2019 Print The medulla oblongata is a structure in the brain that transfers nerve messages from the brain to the spinal cord. In addition to connecting sensory and motor messages, it is responsible for many vital involuntary functions including regulating blood pressure, adjusting your heart function, pacing your rate of breathing and coordinating swallowing. Encyclopaedia Britannica / UIG / Getty Images Location The medulla oblongata, also known simply as the medulla, is located at the back and the lower region of the brain, connected to the spinal cord. The area where the medulla oblongata is located is commonly known as the brainstem. The brainstem is composed of three sections: the upper part is called the midbrain, the middle part is the pons, and the lower part of the brainstem is the medulla. The medulla is located above the spinal cord and below the pons. Stroke of the Medulla A stroke of the medulla oblongata interferes with vital nerve messages and can result in a number of serious problems, such as paralysis on one or both sides of the body, double vision and coordination problems. A stroke involving the medulla can also interfere with your body's normal breathing and heart function. Some people with a medullary stroke may require the use of a machine for breathing. More severe strokes in the medulla oblongata can cause "locked-in syndrome", a condition in which people are conscious and cannot move any part of the body except their eyes. Symptoms of Medullary Stroke Stroke symptoms can be hard to recognize. Stroke of the brainstem and medulla may initially cause vague symptoms, such as headaches and dizziness. But the symptoms can worsen and the stroke may progress rapidly. Some of the symptoms of a medullary stroke include: Severe headaches that start suddenly and get worse when you change positions, bend, strain, or cough.Double visionNumbness in the arm, face or leg on one sideWeakness of the face, arm or leg on one sideDizzinessDifficulty walkingLoss of balance or coordinationPersistent hiccupsLoss of consciousness Among the unique features of a medullary stroke is that it causes numbness and sensory problems on one side of the body, and weakness on the opposite side. This is unusual because most other strokes cause sensory problems and weakness on the same side of the body. There are long nerve pathways that transmit information between the body and the brain. Because many of these pathways cross over to the opposite side in the medulla, this unique pattern of symptoms is characteristic of medullary stroke. Risk Factors Risk factors for medulla oblongata stroke are the same as the risk factors for strokes in other areas of the brain, including: High blood pressureAtrial fibrillation and another heart diseaseDiabetesBlood disordersA family history of strokeElevated cholesterol and triglyceridesAgeEthnicityIllegal drug useSmokingPhysical inactivityHormone replacement therapy and supplementsBirth control pillsIn rare cases, an injury to an artery due to sudden head or neck movements may be a factor. Diagnosis A stroke in the medulla oblongata can be more difficult to diagnose than other strokes due to vague symptoms, such as dizziness, balance problems, and headaches. Usually, a neurologist can identify a medullary stroke during a physical examination, but if the symptoms are mild, then it might not be very apparent in the early stages. Diagnostic testing includes imaging studies such as a brain CT scan or a brain MRI. In general, a brain MRI is usually considered a reliable test for identifying strokes and other abnormalities in this region of the brain. If there is concern about the blood vessels or blood flow, sometimes an ultrasound or angiogram can help with observing the blood vessels. How Stroke Is Diagnosed Recovery If you have had a medullary stroke, your recovery depends on the size of your stroke and how quickly you were treated, as well as your own rate of healing. Strokes of the medulla oblongata do not affect the language or thinking areas of the brain, and this can make it easier for you to participate more fully in your rehabilitation therapy. How Stroke Is Treated A Word From Verywell Medullary strokes and other brainstem strokes are among the most difficult to recognize and diagnose. This can delay your treatment, which may be frustrating for you and your loved ones. The outcome of a medullary stroke can vary- as it is a small region of the brain with many vital functions. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Kim K, Lee HS, Jung YH, et al. Mechanism of medullary infarction based on arterial territory involvement. J Clin Neurol. 2012;8(2):116-22. doi:10.3988/jcn.2012.8.2.116 Sarà M, Cornia R, Conson M, Carolei A, Sacco S, Pistoia F. Cortical brain changes in patients with locked-in syndrome experiencing hallucinations and delusions. Front Neurol. 2018;9:354. doi:10.3389/fneur.2018.00354 Choi JH, Kim HW, Choi KD, et al. Isolated vestibular syndrome in posterior circulation stroke: Frequency and involved structures. Neurol Clin Pract. 2014;4(5):410-418. doi:10.1212/CPJ.0000000000000028 Kang HG, Kim BJ, Lee SH, Kang DW, Kwon SU, Kim JS. Lateral medullary infarction with or without extra-lateral medullary lesions: what is the difference?. Cerebrovasc Dis. 2018;45(3-4):132-140. doi:10.1159/000487672 Boehme AK, Esenwa C, Elkind MS. Stroke risk factors, genetics, and prevention. Circ Res. 2017;120(3):472-495. doi:10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.116.308398 Fu X, Lu Z, Wang Y, et al. A clinical research study of cognitive dysfunction and affective impairment after isolated brainstem stroke. Front Aging Neurosci. 2017;9:400. Additional Reading Kim JS, Caplan LR. Clinical stroke syndromes. Front Neurol Neurosci. 2016;40:72-92. doi:10.1159/000448303