What is the primary function of the vasomotor center of the medulla oblongata?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The primary function of the vasomotor center of the medulla oblongata is to control the diameters of arterioles through sympathetic innervation. Arterioles are the small blood vessels that regulate blood flow to capillary beds, and the sympathetic nervous system can cause vasoconstriction (narrowing) or vasodilation (widening) of these arterioles, thereby regulating blood pressure and controlling blood flow to different tissues. The vasomotor center receives input from various sources, including baroreceptors (which monitor blood pressure), chemoreceptors (which monitor the chemical composition of blood), and higher brain centers, and it can adjust sympathetic nerve activity accordingly to maintain appropriate blood flow and pressure.

What Is the Primary Function of the Vasomotor Center of the Medulla