The nucleus of the solitary tract is a long sensory column in the dorsal medulla that receives taste and information from internal organs. It is the first brain relay for signals from the vagus and glossopharyngeal nerves about blood pressure, blood gases, lung stretch and the gut, plus taste from cranial nerves VII, IX and X.
| Location | Dorsal medulla, lateral to the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, surrounding the solitary tract and extending up into the lower pons |
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| Parts |
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| Connections |
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| Blood Supply | Posterior inferior cerebellar artery; Vertebral artery branches |
Receives taste and visceral sensory input, drives reflexes such as the baroreceptor, chemoreceptor, cough, gag and swallowing reflexes, and relays this information to higher centres.
The baroreceptor reflex passes through this nucleus, so lesions can cause unstable blood pressure. It is a target of vagus nerve stimulation, used to treat epilepsy and depression. Lateral medullary strokes can affect it, contributing to taste disturbance and abnormal reflexes. GLP-1 signals that reduce appetite act partly here.
Wide swings in blood pressure and heart rate after damage to the solitary nucleus or its afferent nerves, for example after neck irradiation or surgery.
Loss or alteration of taste on one side of the tongue after a brainstem lesion involving the gustatory part of the solitary nucleus.
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