The solitary nucleus and the solitary tract (40X)

The solitary nuclei are a series of purely sensory nuclei (clusters of nerve cell bodies) forming a vertical column of grey matter embedded in the medulla oblongata. Through the center of the solitary nucleus runs the solitary tract, a white bundle of nerve fibers, including fibers from the facial, glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves.

The vestibular nucleus seen in this image is one of the two cranial nuclei for the vestibular nerve located in the medulla oblongata.

The hypoglossal nucleus is a another cranial nerve nucleus. Axons from the hypoglossal nucleus pass anteriorly through the medulla oblongata forming the hypoglossal nerve which exits between the pyramid and olive in a macroscopic groove called the anterolateral sulcus.