Brainstem Involvement

Two important brainstem nuclei:

1. Nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) is located in the medulla acts as a swallowing sensory center. It receives afferent information from CN V, VII, IX, and X. The Afferent information includes taste, touch as well as respiratory and cardiovascular input. It then sends information to second nucleus

2.Nucleus ambiguous (NA) is located in the medulla. It is known as a motor swallowing center. This innervates the swallowing muscles via CN IX, X, and XII.

Both of these are often discussed as a functional unit and called the swallowing center of the medulla