bulbar

[ buhl-ber, -bahr ]

adjective

1. of or relating to a bulb, especially to the medulla oblongata.

bulbar

/ ˈbʌlbə /

adjective

1. anatomy of or relating to a bulb, esp the medulla oblongata

Other Words From

• non·bulbar adjective
• post·bulbar adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bulbar¹

First recorded in 1875–80; bulb + -ar ¹

Example Sentences

His legal career was cut short, however, by a bout with bulbar polio, which left part of his face paralyzed.

From New York Times

"Every week, I am rapidly declining from bulbar ALS which is caused by a mutation to my SOD1 gene," Stockman-Mauriello wrote on her change.org page when she started her campaign.

From Salon

My brother suffered the bulbar type of polio, the kind that can paralyze the circulatory and respiratory system, and his originated in the throat.

From Washington Post

In the first few weeks of the epidemic, 87% of those with bulbar or bulbospinal polio, in which the virus attacks the brainstem or nerves that control breathing, died.

From Nature

“All my symptoms are to do with bulbar muscles in my mouth and throat.”

From Fox News