Final answer:
The medulla oblongata is the region of the brain that coordinates the autonomic innervation of the heart through the cardiovascular center, cardioaccelerator, and cardioinhibitory areas.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cardiac control center of the medulla oblongata coordinates the autonomic innervation of the heart. This center contains nuclei such as the cardiovascular center which controls both smooth and cardiac muscle of the cardiovascular system through autonomic connections. The medulla oblongata is also where the cardioaccelerator and cardioinhibitory areas are located. From here, the sympathetic cardiac nerves that increase cardiac activity and vagus (parasympathetic) nerves that slow cardiac activity originate and perform their functions.Furthermore, sensory input from the heart, aorta, and carotid sinuses project to the medulla, where the solitary nucleus increases sympathetic tone of the cardiovascular system through the cardiac accelerator and vasomotor nerves. Additionally, the medulla receives descending inputs from the hypothalamus, which can stimulate an increase in sympathetic system activity in response to stress factors such as anxiety.