medullary

American  

[med-l-er-ee, mej-uh-ler-ee, muh-duhl-uh-ree] / ˈmɛd lˌɛr i, ˈmɛdʒ əˌlɛr i, məˈdʌl ə ri /

adjective

1. pertaining to, consisting of, or resembling the medulla of an organ or the medulla oblongata.

---

Other Word Forms

• postmedullary adjective

Etymology

Origin of medullary

First recorded in 1610–20; medull(a) + -ary

Example Sentences

The medullary respiratory center, responsible for the rhythm and depth of respiration, comprises various neurons dedicated for inspiration and expiration.

From Science Daily • Dec. 7, 2023

Hillman’s family posted on his Instagram account Wednesday that he was diagnosed in August with a rare form of kidney cancer called renal medullary carcinoma and was under hospice care.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 22, 2022

The inner layer of the bone that lines the medullary cavity is called the endosteum.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

The hollow region in the diaphysis is called the medullary cavity, which is filled with yellow marrow.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

In many of these cases the dying-back of the twigs is expedited owing to the mycelium invading the medullary rays and wood vessels, and so obstructing the transpiration current.

From Disease in Plants by Ward, H. Marshall