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 • Nov. 19, 2024

The parietal cortex — along with the hypothalamus and medulla — contains GLP-1 receptors.

From Salon • Jun. 5, 2024

The innermost, or core layer, is the medulla.

From Scientific American • Aug. 16, 2023

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

Scattered in the “reticular substance” of the medulla from the upper end of the fourth ventricle to the pyramidal decussation, they merit the collective designation of reticular ganglia.

From Degeneracy Its Causes, Signs and Results by Talbot, Eugene S.