medulla

[ muh-duhl-uh ]

noun

, plural me·dul·las, me·dul·lae [m, uh, -, duhl, -ee].

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.

medulla

/ mɪˈdʌlə /

noun

1. anatomy
   1. the innermost part of an organ or structure
   2. short for medulla oblongata
2. botany another name for pith

medulla

/ mĭ-dŭl′ə,mĭ-do̅o̅′lə /

, Plural medullas mĭ-dŭl′ē

1. See medulla oblongata
2. The central portion of an anatomical structure, such as the adrenal gland or the kidney.

Derived Forms

• meˈdullary, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of medulla¹

1635–45; < Latin: marrow, pith

Word History and Origins

Origin of medulla¹

C17: from Latin: marrow, pith, probably from medius middle

Example Sentences

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

From Salon

The innermost, or core layer, is the medulla.

From Scientific American

Each hair can have three layers – the medulla, the cortex and the cuticle.

From Scientific American

This layer is also very fragile, but only thick or coarse hairs contain this part – so those with thin or blond hair typically don’t have the medulla layer in their hairs.

From Scientific American

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