medulla oblongata
medulla ob·lon·ga·ta
noun \-ˌä-ˌblȯŋ-ˈgä-tə\ plural medulla oblongatas or medullae ob·lon·ga·tae\-ˈgä-tē, -ˌtī\
Definition of MEDULLA OBLONGATA
: 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
See Origin of MEDULLA OBLONGATA
New Latin, literally, oblong medulla
First Known Use: 1668
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