medulla oblongata

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noun,plural medulla oblongatas, medullae oblongatae.Anatomy.
  1. the lowest or hindmost part of the brain, continuous with the spinal cord.

Origin of medulla oblongata

1
1670–80; <New Latin: the long medulla

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British Dictionary definitions for medulla oblongata

medulla oblongata

/ (ˌɒblɒŋˈɡɑːtə) /


nounplural medulla oblongatas or medullae oblongatae (mɪˈdʌliː ˌɒblɒŋˈɡɑːtiː)
  1. the lower stalklike section of the brain, continuous with the spinal cord, containing control centres for the heart and lungs

Origin of medulla oblongata

1
C17: New Latin: oblong-shaped medulla

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for medulla oblongata

medulla oblongata

[ ŏb′lông-gä ]


Plural medulla oblongatas medullae oblongatae (ŏb′lông-gä)
  1. The lowermost portion of the brainstem in humans and other mammals. It is important in the reflex control of involuntary processes, including respiration, heartbeat, and blood pressure.

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