DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan

 medulla ob·lon·ga·ta /-ˌɑˌblɔŋˈgɑtə/

 medulla ob·lon·ga·ta /-ˌɑbˌlɔŋˈgɑtə/ 名詞
 延髓,髓腦,延腦

 Me·dul·la n.
 1. Marrow; pith; hence, essence. [Obs.]
 2. Anat. The marrow of bones; the deep or inner portion of an organ or part; as, the medulla, or medullary substance, of the kidney; specifically, the medula oblongata.
 3. Bot. A soft tissue, occupying the center of the stem or branch of a plant; pith.
 Medulla oblongata.  Anat., the posterior part of the brain connected with the spinal cord.  It includes all the hindbrain except the cerebellum and pons, and from it a large part of the cranial nerves arise. It controls very largely respiration, circulation, swallowing, and other functions, and is the most vital part of the brain; -- called also bulb of the spinal cord. See Brain.
 ◄ ►

 medulla oblongata
      n : 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" [syn: medulla, bulb]