Definitions for: Medulla


[n] the inner part of an organ or structure in plant or animal
[n] lower or hindmost part of the brain; continuous with spinal cord; (`bulb' is an old term for medulla oblongata); "the medulla oblongata is the most vital part of the brain because it contains centers controlling breathing and heart functioning"
[n] a white fatty substance that forms a medullary sheath around the axis cylinder of some nerve fibers



Webster (1913) Definition: Me*dul"la, n. [L.]
1. Marrow; pith; hence, essence. [Obs.] --Milton.

2. (Anat.) The marrow of bones; the deep or inner portion of
an organ or part; as, the medulla, or medullary substance,
of the kidney; specifically, the medula oblongata.

3. (Bot.) A soft tissue, occupying the center of the stem or
branch of a plant; pith.

Medulla oblongata. [L., oblong medulla] (Anat.), the
posterior part of the brain connected with the spinal
cord. It includes all the hindbrain except the cerebellum
and pons, and from it a large part of the cranial nerves
arise. It controls very largely respiration, circulation,
swallowing, and other functions, and is the most vital
part of the brain; -- called also {bulb of the spinal
cord}. See Brain.

Synonyms: bulb, medulla oblongata, myelin, myeline

Antonyms: cortex

See Also: adrenal medulla, animal tissue, fat, hindbrain, medullary sheath, myelin sheath, neural structure, plant tissue, respiratory center, rhombencephalon

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