Definition

1. Noun:
   • The lower or hindmost part of the brain: The medulla oblongata is the structure that is continuous with the spinal cord, forming the base of the brainstem.
   • A vital control center: It contains neural centers that are essential for controlling automatic functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Damage to the medulla oblongata can be life-threatening.
  • The medulla oblongata is responsible for regulating involuntary reflexes like swallowing and vomiting.

Advanced Usage

• "Bulb": An old anatomical term for the medulla oblongata.
  • In some older medical texts, you might find the medulla oblongata referred to simply as the "bulb".

Variants and Related Words

• Medulla (n): Often used as a shortened, informal form of "medulla oblongata," though it can also refer to other central parts of organs (e.g., renal medulla).
  • The signal travels from the spinal cord into the medulla.
• Brainstem (n): The central trunk of the brain, which includes the medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain.
  • The medulla oblongata is the lowest part of the brainstem.

Synonyms

• Myelencephalon (n): The embryonic and neurological term for the region of the hindbrain that gives rise to the medulla oblongata.
• Bulb (n): (Historical/obsolete) As noted, an old term for the medulla oblongata.

Related Phrases

• Medullary center: A term sometimes used for clusters of neurons within the medulla oblongata.
  • The cardiovascular center is a key medullary center.

Related Idioms

Noun

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