Neuroanatomy
- The solitary nucleus is a series of sensory nuclei located in the medulla oblongata.
- It forms a vertical column of grey matter in the brainstem.
- The nucleus receives inputs from cranial nerves VII, IX, and X.
- It is connected by the solitary tract, a bundle of nerve fibers.
- Cell bodies within the nucleus are arranged according to function.

Afferents
- The nucleus receives gustatory (taste) sensation from cranial nerves VII, IX, and X.
- It also receives input from chemoreceptors and mechanoreceptors of the general visceral afferent pathway.
- These receptors are located in various organs such as the carotid body, carotid sinus, aortic bodies, and sinoatrial node.
- Additional minor input comes from the nasal cavity, soft palate, and sinus cavities.
- Organ-specific regions of neuronal architecture are preserved in the solitary nucleus.

Efferents
- The solitary nucleus projects to various regions of the brain, including the hypothalamus, amygdala, and other brainstem nuclei.
- It forms circuits that contribute to autonomic regulation.
- The nucleus sends stimuli related to oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract to the parabrachial area.
- Different subdivisions of the parabrachial area receive gastric and gustatory (taste) processes.
- Some neuronal subpopulations in the solitary nucleus project to the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis.

Function
- Afferents of the solitary nucleus mediate reflexes such as the gag reflex, carotid sinus reflex, aortic reflex, cough reflex, baroreflex, and chemoreceptor reflexes.
- Neurons within the nucleus also transmit signals about the gut wall, lung stretch, and dryness of mucous membranes.
- The nucleus participates in simple autonomic reflexes.
- It regulates motility and secretion within the gastrointestinal system.
- The solitary nucleus is involved in respiratory reflexes.

Additional images
- A section of the medulla oblongata shows the location of the solitary nucleus.
- Primary terminal nuclei of the sensory cranial nerves are represented in a lateral view.
- These images provide visual representations of the anatomical structures.
- They aid in understanding the location and organization of the solitary nucleus.
- The images can be used for educational and reference purposes.

Solitary nucleus (Wikipedia)

The solitary nucleus (also called nucleus of the solitary tract, nucleus solitarius, or nucleus tractus solitarii (SN or NTS)) is a series of sensory nuclei (clusters of nerve cell bodies) forming a vertical column of grey matter in the medulla oblongata of the brainstem. It receives general visceral and/or special visceral inputs from the facial nerve (CN VII), glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) and vagus nerve (CN X); it receives and relays stimuli related to taste and visceral sensation. It sends outputs to various parts of the brain.^[where?] Neuron cell bodies of the SN are roughly somatotopically arranged along its length according to function.

Solitary nucleus
The cranial nerve nuclei schematically represented; dorsal view. Motor nuclei in red; sensory in blue.
Transverse section of medulla oblongata of human embryo.
Details
Identifiers
Latin	Nucleus tractus solitarii medullae oblongatae.
MeSH	D017552
NeuroNames	742
NeuroLex ID	birnlex_1429
TA98	A14.1.04.230
TA2	6008
FMA	72242
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy [edit on Wikidata]