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.

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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 /

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.

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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

It consists of the midbrain, medulla oblongata, and the pons.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Neural mechanisms include the cardiovascular centers in the medulla oblongata, baroreceptors in the aorta and carotid arteries and right atrium, and associated chemoreceptors that monitor blood levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen ions.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

However, some medical conditions, such as stroke and congestive heart failure, may cause damage to the pons or medulla oblongata.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Situated on its floor are the fasciculi teretes, striae acusticae, and deposits of grey matter described in connexion with the medulla oblongata.

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

Related Words

• head
• intellect
• mind