medullaoblongata

medulla ob·lon·ga·ta (ŏb'lông-gäʹtə) n. pl. medulla ob·lon·ga·tas or me·dul·lae ob·lon·ga·tae (mĭ-dŭlʹē ŏb'lông-gäʹtē)

The lowermost portion of the vertebrate brain, continuous with the spinal cord, responsible for the control of respiration, circulation, and certain other bodily functions.

  [New Latin medulla oblongāta: Latin medulla, medulla + New Latin oblongāta, feminine of oblongātus, oblong.]

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