Pronunciation: - ˌ ä- ˌ blo ̇ ŋ - ' gä-t ə
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural medulla oblongatas or medullae ob · lon · ga · tae \ - ' gä-t ē , - ˌ t ī \
Etymology: New Latin, literally, oblong medulla
Date: 1668
: 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