Adjacent Words

medulla oblongata definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: lower or hindmost part of the brain; continuous with spinal cord; (`bulb' is an old term for medulla oblongata); "the medulla oblongata is the most vital part of the brain because it contains centers controlling breathing and heart functioning" [syn: medulla oblongata, medulla, bulb]

Merriam Webster's

noun (plural medulla oblongatas or medullae oblongatae) Etymology: New Latin, literally, oblong medulla Date: 1668 the part of the vertebrate brain that is continuous posteriorly with the spinal cord and that contains the centers controlling involuntary vital functions — see brain illustration

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Medulla Me*dul"la, n. [L.] 1. Marrow; pith; hence, essence. [Obs.] --Milton. 2. (Anat.) The marrow of bones; the deep or inner portion of an organ or part; as, the medulla, or medullary substance, of the kidney; specifically, the medula oblongata. 3. (Bot.) A soft tissue, occupying the center of the stem or branch of a plant; pith. Medulla oblongata. [L., oblong medulla] (Anat.), the posterior part of the brain connected with the spinal cord. It includes all the hindbrain except the cerebellum and pons, and from it a large part of the cranial nerves arise. It controls very largely respiration, circulation, swallowing, and other functions, and is the most vital part of the brain; -- called also bulb of the spinal cord. See Brain.