medulla

American  

[muh-duhl-uh] / məˈdʌl ə /

noun

plural

medullas, medullae

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.

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medulla British  

/ mɪˈdʌlə /

noun

1. anatomy

   1. the innermost part of an organ or structure

   2. short for medulla oblongata

2. botany another name for pith

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medulla Scientific  

/ mĭ-dŭl′ə,mĭ-do̅o̅′lə /

plural

medullas

1. See medulla oblongata

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

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Other Word Forms

• medullary adjective

Etymology

Origin of medulla

1635–45; < Latin: marrow, pith

Example Sentences

Han's team hypothesized that certain emotions or behaviors could lead cortical neurons to activate the pons, which would then lower activity in the medulla, resulting in slower breath.

From Science Daily • Nov. 19, 2024

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

From Salon • Jun. 5, 2024

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

From Scientific American • Aug. 16, 2023

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 • Jan. 6, 2023

This gathering is known as the medulla oblongata.

From The Relations of Science and Religion The Morse Lecture, 1880 by Calderwood, Henry