Main Entry: medulla ob·lon·ga·ta

Pronunciation: \-ˌä-ˌblȯŋ-ˈgä-tə\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural medulla oblongatas or medullae ob·lon·ga·tae \-ˈgä-tē, -ˌtī\

Etymology: New Latin, literally, oblong medulla

Date: 1668

: the part of the vertebrate brain that is continuous posteriorly with the spinal cord and that contains the centers controlling involuntary vital functions — see brain illustration