Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to the medulla of any body part: Describes anything connected to the inner region or core of an organ or structure in the body.
   • Relating to the medulla oblongata: Specifically pertains to the part of the brainstem that controls vital functions like breathing and heart rate.
   • Containing, consisting of, or resembling bone marrow: Describes a substance or tissue that has the soft, fatty, or spongy qualities found inside bones.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • The biopsy revealed medullary carcinoma, a type of cancer that originates in the inner part of an organ.
  • Damage to the medullary region of the brain can affect autonomic functions.
  • The bone had a soft, medullary cavity filled with marrow.

Advanced Usage

• "Medullary cavity": The central cavity of a long bone that contains bone marrow.
  • The medullary cavity is the primary site for hematopoiesis in adults.
• "Medullary ray" (in botany): A vertical sheet of vascular tissue in the stems and roots of plants.
  • The medullary rays transport nutrients and water radially within the wood.
• "Medullary sheath": The insulating layer of myelin surrounding the axon of a nerve fiber.
  • The degeneration of the medullary sheath is a feature of some neurological diseases.

Variants and Related Words

• Medulla (noun): The inner region of an organ or tissue, especially the bone marrow, the inner part of the kidney, or the medulla oblongata.
  • The adrenal medulla produces adrenaline.
• Medullated (adjective): (Of a nerve fiber) having a myelin sheath.
  • The medullated axons allow for faster nerve impulse conduction.

Synonyms

• Myeloid: Pertaining to, derived from, or resembling bone marrow.
• Marrowey: (Archaic) resembling or containing marrow.

Related Phrases

(Note: "Medullary" is primarily a technical adjective and does not commonly form phrasal verbs or idioms in everyday language. Its usage is largely confined to anatomical, medical, and botanical contexts.)

Adjective

1. of or relating to the medulla of any body part
2. of or relating to the medulla oblongata
3. containing or consisting of or resembling bone marrow