Medulla: meaning, definitions and examples

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medulla

[ mɪˈdʌlə ]

Noun

^{Context #1 | Noun}

anatomy

The medulla is the innermost part of an organ or structure. In the brain, the medulla oblongata is responsible for regulating vital functions such as breathing, heartbeat, and blood pressure.

Synonyms

center, core, inner part.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
medulla	Usually used in medical or biological contexts to refer to the inner region of an organ or body part, like the medulla oblongata in the brain. The medulla oblongata controls several autonomic functions such as breathing and heart rate. In anatomy class, we studied the structure of the medulla.
core	Used when referring to the central, most important, or essential part. It can be used both literally, like the core of an apple, or figuratively, like the core values of a company. She removed the apple core before eating. Honesty is at the core of our company’s values. He is working on strengthening his core muscles.
center	Commonly used to refer to the middle point of an area, space, or an abstract concept like attention or focus. The shopping mall is at the center of the town. He's the center of attention at the party. Place the artwork in the center of the wall.
inner part	A more generic term often used in everyday language to describe the inside areas of objects or places. The inner part of the house is beautifully decorated. She revealed the inner part of the mystery only to her closest friend. Take a look at the inner part of this device to understand how it works.

Examples of usage

Damage to the medulla can result in life-threatening complications.
The medulla plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis in the body.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

botany

In botany, the medulla refers to the central pith of a plant stem, which provides structural support.

Synonyms

center, core, pith.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
medulla	Typically used in a biological or medical context, referring to the inner region of an organ or tissue, especially the brain or kidneys. The medulla oblongata plays a crucial role in regulating heart rate and breathing Damage to the renal medulla can affect kidney function
pith	Usually used in a botanical context, referring to the central tissue in the stems of certain plants. Can also be used metaphorically to mean the essential part of something. The pith of the plant helps in nutrient transport His speech got to the pith of the matter quickly
core	Used to describe the central or most important part of something, often in a metaphorical context. The core values of the company include integrity and innovation The Earth's core is composed of iron and nickel
center	Used to describe the middle point or part of something, often in a general or spatial context. The community center is located in the heart of the city He stood at the center of the room and addressed the crowd

Examples of usage

The medulla of certain plants can store water and nutrients.
The medulla helps transport substances throughout the plant.

Translations

Translations of the word "medulla" in other languages:

🇵🇹 medula

🇮🇳 मेडुला

🇩🇪 Mark

🇮🇩 medula

🇺🇦 мозковий стовбур

🇵🇱 rdzeń

🇯🇵 髄質

🇫🇷 médulla

🇪🇸 médula

🇹🇷 medulla

🇰🇷 수질

🇸🇦 نخاع

🇨🇿 dřeň

🇸🇰 dřeň

🇨🇳 髓质

🇸🇮 možgani

🇮🇸 merg

🇰🇿 мич

🇬🇪 მედულა

🇦🇿 medula

🇲🇽 médula

Etymology

The word 'medulla' comes from Latin, where it means 'marrow'. It has been used in scientific contexts to refer to the innermost part of various structures, both in anatomy and botany. The term has been in use for centuries to describe the central core or pith of different organisms.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,186, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

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14183 inexplicable
14184 persuading
14185 hockey
14186 medulla
14187 propounded
14188 helm
14189 semen
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