Medulla

Me`dul´la

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.

Noun	1.	medulla - a white fatty substance that forms a medullary sheath around the axis cylinder of some nerve fibers Synonyms: myelin, myeline
	2.	medulla - 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" Synonyms: medulla oblongata, bulb
	3.	medulla - the inner part of an organ or structure in plant or animal Antonyms: cortex - the tissue forming the outer layer of an organ or structure in plant or animal