medulla

American  

[muh-duhl-uh] / məˈdʌl ə /

noun

plural

medullas, medullae

1. Anatomy.

   1. the marrow of the bones.

   2. the soft, marrowlike center of an organ, as the kidney or adrenal gland.

   3. medulla oblongata.

2. Botany. the pith of plants.

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medulla British  

/ mɪˈdʌlə /

noun

1. anatomy

   1. the innermost part of an organ or structure

   2. short for medulla oblongata

2. botany another name for pith

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medulla Scientific  

/ mĭ-dŭl′ə,mĭ-do̅o̅′lə /

plural

medullas

1. See medulla oblongata

2. The central portion of an anatomical structure, such as the adrenal gland or the kidney.

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Other Word Forms

• medullary adjective

Etymology

Origin of medulla

1635–45; < Latin: marrow, pith

Example Sentences

The researchers assumed the brain's frontal cortex, which orchestrates complex thoughts and behaviors, was somehow communicating to a brainstem region called the medulla, which controls automatic breathing.

From Science Daily

Each hair can have three layers – the medulla, the cortex and the cuticle.

From Scientific American

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

MTC arises from the medulla inside the thyroid gland, which contains C cells.

From Washington Post

Another part of the brain, the medulla oblongata, gets in touch with the heart, which increases its rate and the amount of blood pumped per beat.

From Science Magazine