medulla oblongata

American  

noun

Anatomy.

plural

medulla oblongatas, medullae oblongatae

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

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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

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medulla oblongata Scientific  

/ ŏb′lông-gä′tə /

plural

medulla oblongatas

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.

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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

Neurogenic shock is a form of vascular shock that occurs with cranial or spinal injuries that damage the cardiovascular centers in the medulla oblongata or the nervous fibers originating from this region.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

As in the previous phase, the complex neuromuscular actions are controlled by the medulla oblongata.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

A constriction also occurs in the hind vesicle or rhombencephalon, dividing it into an anterior part, the metencephalon, from which the cerebellum is developed, and a posterior or myelencephalon, the primitive medulla oblongata.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Slice 4 "Bradford, William" to "Brequigny, Louis" by Various

Related Words

• head
• intellect
• mind