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medulla oblongata

noun [C usually sing]
 
 
/meˌdʌl.ə.ɒb.lɒŋˈɡɑː.tə/ US  /mɪˌdʌl.ə.ɑːb.lɑːŋˈɡɑː.t̬ə/ (plural medullae oblongatae or medulla oblongatas) specialized

Definition

the lowest part of the brain, positioned at the top of the spinal cord, that controls activities such as heartbeat, blood pressure , and breathingThe brain and nervous system
(Definition of medulla oblongata noun from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)
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