Search Result for "medulla oblongata":
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (1)

1. lower or hindmost part of the brain; continuous with spinal cord; (`bulb' is an old term for medulla oblongata);
- Example: "the medulla oblongata is the most vital part of the brain because it contains centers controlling breathing and heart functioning"
[syn: medulla oblongata, medulla, bulb]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Medulla \Me*dul"la\, n. [L.] 1. Marrow; pith; hence, essence. [Obs.] --Milton. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] 3. (Bot.) A soft tissue, occupying the center of the stem or branch of a plant; pith. [1913 Webster] 4. See medulla oblongata. [PJC] 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. [1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

medulla oblongata n 1: 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" [syn: medulla oblongata, medulla, bulb]