Final answer:
The cardiac control center coordinating autonomic activity to the heart is found in the medulla oblongata. This part of the brain adjusts the function of the heart and blood pressure through both sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cardiac control center coordinating autonomic activity to the heart is located in the medulla oblongata. This area contains nuclei known as the cardiovascular center, which controls the smooth and cardiac muscle of the cardiovascular system through autonomic connections. The medulla oblongata receives sensory input from the heart, aorta, and carotid sinuses, adjusting cardiac function and blood pressure as needed.
Within the medulla, the solitary nucleus increases sympathetic tone through the cardiac accelerator and vasomotor nerves, while the nucleus ambiguus and the dorsal motor nucleus contribute to parasympathetic control via the vagus nerve. Additionally, the medulla oblongata contains the cardioaccelerator and cardioinhibitory centers that modulate heart activity through sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation, maintaining autonomic tone.