medulla oblongata

noun, plural medulla oblongatas, medullae oblongatae. Anatomy
1.
the lowest or hindmost part of the brain, continuous with the spinal cord.
Origin
1670-80; < Neo-Latin: the long medulla
British Dictionary definitions for medulla oblongata

medulla oblongata

/ˌɒblɒŋˈɡɑːtə/
noun (pl) medulla oblongatas, 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
Word Origin
C17: New Latin: oblong-shaped medulla
medulla oblongata in Medicine

medulla oblongata medulla ob·lon·ga·ta (ŏb'lŏng-gā'tə, -gä'tə)
n. pl. medulla ob·lon·ga·tas or medullae ob·lon·ga·tae (-gā'tē, -gä'tē)
The lowermost portion of the vertebrate brain, continuous with the spinal cord and responsible for the control of respiration, circulation, and other bodily functions.

medulla oblongata in Science
medulla oblongata
  (ŏb'lông-gä'tə)   
Plural medulla oblongatas or medullae oblongatae (ŏb'lông-gä'tē)
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.
Encyclopedia Article for medulla oblongata

the lowest part of the brain and the lowest portion of the brainstem. The medulla oblongata is connected by the pons to the midbrain and is continuous posteriorly with the spinal cord, with which it merges at the opening (foramen magnum) at the base of the skull.

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