medulla oblongata
noun
medulla ob·lon·ga·ta
-ˌä-ˌblȯŋ-ˈgä-tə 
plural medulla oblongatas or medullae oblongatae
-ˌä-ˌblȯŋ-ˈgä-tē
-ˌtī
: 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
Examples of medulla oblongata in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Blaine, however, takes things to a gourmet level for his rich zombie customers, creating tantalizing dishes like gnocchi stuffed with medulla oblongata swimming in a fra diavolo sauce.
—
ArsTechnica, 27 Apr. 2025
This area, known as the medulla oblongata, serves as your control tower for breathing.
—Blake Nelson, The Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2024
The membrane releases chemicals that activate the trigeminal nerve (a large nerve responsible for sensation in the face), which then sends an electric signal to a part of the brainstem called the medulla oblongata.
—Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 8 Aug. 2024
The library nearly resembles the shape of a brain, with the entrance being the medulla oblongata and the robust flooring as the cerebellum.
—Rajvinder Singh, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2023
Another part of the brain, the medulla oblongata, gets in touch with the heart, which increases its rate and the amount of blood pumped per beat.
—Elizabeth Pennisi, Science | AAAS, 12 Nov. 2020
Your brain interprets particularly suspenseful information through the medulla oblongata, which produces adrenaline.
—Hannah Malach, Good Housekeeping, 22 Sep. 2020
Regardless of what underlies it, the sensation of nausea originates in the medulla oblongata, a part of your brain that sits just above your spinal cord.
—Patrick Wilson, Outside Online, 13 Apr. 2020
That receptor then sends a signal through the cranial nerves to the medulla oblongata, which is part of your brainstem, and through to your primary gustatory complex, which interprets individual signals as flavors.
—Popular Science, 21 Jan. 2020
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ArsTechnica, 27 Apr. 2025
This area, known as the medulla oblongata, serves as your control tower for breathing.
—Blake Nelson, The Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2024
The membrane releases chemicals that activate the trigeminal nerve (a large nerve responsible for sensation in the face), which then sends an electric signal to a part of the brainstem called the medulla oblongata.
—Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 8 Aug. 2024
The library nearly resembles the shape of a brain, with the entrance being the medulla oblongata and the robust flooring as the cerebellum.
—Rajvinder Singh, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2023
Another part of the brain, the medulla oblongata, gets in touch with the heart, which increases its rate and the amount of blood pumped per beat.
—Elizabeth Pennisi, Science | AAAS, 12 Nov. 2020
Your brain interprets particularly suspenseful information through the medulla oblongata, which produces adrenaline.
—Hannah Malach, Good Housekeeping, 22 Sep. 2020
Regardless of what underlies it, the sensation of nausea originates in the medulla oblongata, a part of your brain that sits just above your spinal cord.
—Patrick Wilson, Outside Online, 13 Apr. 2020
That receptor then sends a signal through the cranial nerves to the medulla oblongata, which is part of your brainstem, and through to your primary gustatory complex, which interprets individual signals as flavors.
—Popular Science, 21 Jan. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Medulla oblongata.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/medulla%20oblongata. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
medulla oblongata
noun
medulla ob·lon·ga·ta
-ˌäb-ˌlȯŋ-ˈgät-ə
: the somewhat pyramid-shaped bottom part of the vertebrate brain that joins the spinal cord and is concerned with the control of involuntary activities (as breathing and beating of the heart) necessary for life
Medical Definition
medulla oblongata
noun
medulla ob·lon·ga·ta
-ˌäb-ˌlȯŋ-ˈgät-ə
: the somewhat pyramidal last part of the vertebrate brain developed from the posterior portion of the hindbrain and continuous posteriorly with the spinal cord, enclosing the fourth ventricle, and containing nuclei associated with most of the cranial nerves, major fiber tracts and decussations that link spinal with higher centers, and various centers mediating the control of involuntary vital functions (as respiration)
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