Noun: medulla (medullae,medullas) mi'dú-lu
- The inner part of an organ or structure in plant or animal
"The medulla of the kidney filters blood and produces urine"
- Lower or hindmost part of the brain; continuous with spinal cord
"the medulla oblongata is the most vital part of the brain because it contains centres controlling breathing and heart functioning";
- medulla oblongata, bulb [archaic]
- A white fatty substance that forms a medullary sheath around the axis cylinder of some nerve fibers
"The disease affected the medulla of the nerve cells";
- myelin, myeline [rare]
Derived forms: medullas, medullae
Type of: animal tissue, fat, neural structure, plant tissue
Antonym: cortex
Part of: brain stem, brainstem, brain-stem, medullary sheath, myelin sheath
Encyclopedia: Medulla, Florida