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Noun: medulla (medullae,medullas)  mi'dú-lu
  1. The inner part of an organ or structure in plant or animal
    "The medulla of the kidney filters blood and produces urine"
     
  2. 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]
     
  3. 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