Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Medulla \Me*dul"la\, n. [L.]
1. Marrow; pith; hence, essence. [Obs.] --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
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.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Bot.) A soft tissue, occupying the center of the stem or
branch of a plant; pith.
[1913 Webster]
4. See medulla oblongata.
[PJC]
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 spinalcord. See Brain.
[1913 Webster]
medulla oblongata
n : 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, bulb]
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