medulla oblongata

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR medulla oblongata ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural medulla oblongatas, medullae oblongatae. Anatomy.

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

Origin of medulla oblongata

1670–80; < New Latin: the long medulla

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for medulla oblongata

head, intellect, wit, mentality, cerebellum, encephalon, cerebrum

British Dictionary definitions for medulla oblongata

medulla oblongata

noun plural medulla oblongatas or medullae oblongatae (mɪˈdʌliː ˌɒblɒŋˈɡɑːtiː)

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

Word Origin for medulla oblongata

C17: New Latin: oblong-shaped medulla

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

medulla oblongata in Medicine

medulla oblongata

[ŏb′lŏng-gā′tə, -gä′tə]

n. pl. medulla ob•lon•ga•tas

The lowermost portion of the vertebrate brain, continuous with the spinal cord and responsible for the control of respiration, circulation, and other bodily functions.

medulla oblongata in Science

medulla oblongata

[ŏb′lông-gä′tə]

Plural medulla oblongatas medullae oblongatae (ŏb′lông-gä′tē)

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.