Nucleus of tractus solitarius

The nucleus of tractus solitarius, also known as the nucleus of the solitary tract or simply the solitary nucleus, is a purely sensory nucleus located in the dorsolateral medulla oblongata and lower pons. It receives many sensory inputs including taste information and sensory information from the middle ear, contributing to the facial, glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves.

It surrounds the solitary tract and is located in the dorsal medulla between the vestibular nulcei laterally and the hypoglossal nucleus medially.