medulla
/medˈʌl.ə/ (bre, ipa) · /məˈdʌl.ə/ (ame, ipa) · /mə-ˈdə-lə/ (ame, mw)
medulla — noun
- medullasingular
- medullasplural
1. the soft material deep inside an organ, gland, or body structure — for example,
the soft material deep inside an organ, gland, or body structure — for example, the inner part of a kidney or the centre of an adrenal gland
The scan revealed a small growth inside the medulla of her right kidney.
collocation: medulla of [organ]
Dr. Okonkwo pointed to the adrenal medulla on the screen during the lecture.
A cross-section of the ovary shows a pale outer layer around a darker medulla.
The pathologist took a sample from the medulla of the swollen lymph node.
Hormones released from the adrenal medulla help the body face sudden danger or stress.
- core
everyday term for the centre of any object; medulla is specifically anatomical
- interior tissue
a descriptive phrase, not a standard anatomical term like medulla
- deep structure
used in imaging reports but less precise than medulla
- cortex
the outer layer of an organ, paired with medulla in anatomy (e.g. adrenal cortex vs adrenal medulla)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 (BRAINSTEM CENTRE) and sense 3 (NERVE COATING). This is the general anatomical meaning: the deep inner tissue found in any organ or gland, always positioned beneath an outer layer.
常見錯誤
2. the lowest part of the brain, where it joins the spinal cord, that runs automati
the lowest part of the brain, where it joins the spinal cord, that runs automatic body functions such as breathing, heartbeat, and swallowing without any conscious effort
The medulla keeps the heart beating and the lungs working even during deep sleep.
automatic functions: breathing and heartbeat
Nurse Ishikawa explained that a damaged medulla can stop a person from breathing on their own.
The stroke affected his medulla, and he now uses a machine to breathe safely at night.
The medical student labelled the medulla on the diagram, just above the spinal cord.
Even in a deep coma, the medulla still sends signals to the lungs to expand and contract.
- medulla oblongata
the full anatomical term; 'medulla' is the everyday shortening used by doctors
- brainstem base
descriptive but not a standard term in medical textbooks
用法筆記
The full term is 'medulla oblongata,' but doctors and textbooks often shorten it to just 'medulla.' Damage to this area is extremely dangerous because it controls vital functions. Distinguish from sense 1 (DEEP ORGAN TISSUE), which can refer to any organ's inner layer.
常見錯誤
3. a layer of white fatty material that wraps around certain nerve fibres, like the
a layer of white fatty material that wraps around certain nerve fibres, like the plastic coating around an electrical wire, so that signals can travel along the nerve quickly and without interference
The medulla around the nerve fibre acts like the plastic coating on a copper wire.
analogy: insulation around an electrical wire
When the medulla breaks down, nerve signals slow and muscles begin to weaken or twitch.
The researcher studied how the medulla forms around growing nerve cells in mouse embryos.
The disease attacks the medulla of nerve fibres, causing messages to get lost or misdirected.
The neurologist placed sensors on the patient's arm and measured signals through the medulla.
- myelin sheath
the standard modern term; 'medulla' in this sense is older and mostly historical
- medullary sheath
the full form of this sense; 'medulla' is the shortened version
用法筆記
This sense appears most often in the phrase 'medullary sheath.' In modern medical English, 'myelin sheath' is the more common term for the same structure. Distinguish from sense 1 (DEEP ORGAN TISSUE) and sense 2 (BRAINSTEM CENTRE).