**Core Concept**
The control of mastication, or the process of chewing food, involves a complex interplay of neural pathways and centers in the brain. This process is primarily regulated by the subcortical centers, which receive and process sensory information from the mouth and facial region.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The subcortical centers, including the basal ganglia and the trigeminal nucleus, play a crucial role in the control of mastication. These centers receive sensory information from the trigeminal nerve, which provides feedback on the texture, temperature, and pressure of food in the mouth. This information is then processed and integrated with motor signals from the cranial nerves, allowing for the coordinated movement of the jaw, tongue, and facial muscles necessary for chewing. The subcortical centers also receive input from higher-level centers in the brain, including the cerebral cortex, which helps to regulate the complexity and speed of mastication.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** The pontine centers are involved in the control of swallowing and other reflexes, but they do not play a primary role in the control of mastication.
**Option C:** The cerebellar centers are involved in the regulation of motor coordination and balance, but they do not have a direct role in the control of mastication.
**Option D:** The medulla centers are involved in the control of autonomic functions, such as heart rate and blood pressure, but they do not have a direct role in the control of mastication.

**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
The subcortical centers that control mastication are also involved in the regulation of other reflexes, such as the gag reflex and the swallow reflex. Damage to these centers can result in abnormalities in these reflexes, which can have significant clinical implications.

**✓ Correct Answer: B. Sub cortical centres**