medulla oblongata

American  

noun

Anatomy.

medulla oblongatas, plural medullae oblongatae plural

1. the lowest or hindmost part of the brain, continuous with the spinal cord.

---

medulla oblongata British  

/ ˌɒblɒŋˈɡɑːtə /

noun

1. the lower stalklike section of the brain, continuous with the spinal cord, containing control centres for the heart and lungs

---

medulla oblongata Scientific  

/ ŏb′lông-gä′tə /

medulla oblongatas plural

1. The lowermost portion of the brainstem in humans and other mammals. It is important in the reflex control of involuntary processes, including respiration, heartbeat, and blood pressure.

---

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• medullae oblongatae
  plural
• medulla oblongatas
  plural

Etymology

Origin of medulla oblongata

1670–80; < New Latin: the long medulla

Example Sentences

The library nearly resembles the shape of a brain, with the entrance being the medulla oblongata and the robust flooring as the cerebellum.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 6, 2023

The cerebellum helps coordinate skeletal muscle activity, and the medulla oblongata and pons in the brainstem are centers for vital functions, such as breathing and heart rate.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Create a visual representation of system composed only of the cortex, the medulla oblongata, the heart and the lungs.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

The myelencephalon corresponds to the adult structure known as the medulla oblongata.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

How does the medulla oblongata resemble the cord?

From A Treatise on Physiology and Hygiene For Educational Institutions and General Readers by Hutchison, Joseph Chrisman

Related Words

• head
• intellect
• mind