Medulla \Me*dul"la\, n. [L.]
   1. Marrow; pith; hence, essence. [Obs.] --Milton.
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   2. (Anat.) The marrow of bones; the deep or inner portion of
      an organ or part; as, the medulla, or medullary substance,
      of the kidney; specifically, the medula oblongata.
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   3. (Bot.) A soft tissue, occupying the center of the stem or
      branch of a plant; pith.
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   4. See medulla oblongata.
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   Medulla oblongata. [L., oblong medulla] (Anat.), the
      posterior part of the brain connected with the spinal
      cord. It includes all the hindbrain except the cerebellum
      and pons, and from it a large part of the cranial nerves
      arise. It controls very largely respiration, circulation,
      swallowing, and other functions, and is the most vital
      part of the brain; -- called also bulb of the spinal
      cord. See Brain.
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Bulb \Bulb\ (b[u^]lb), n. [L. bulbus, Gr. bolbo`s: cf. F.
   bulbe.]
   1. (Bot.) A spheroidal body growing from a plant either above
      or below the ground (usually below), which is strictly a
      bud, consisting of a cluster of partially developed
      leaves, and producing, as it grows, a stem above, and
      roots below, as in the onion, tulip, etc. It differs from
      a corm in not being solid.
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   2. (Anat.) A name given to some parts that resemble in shape
      certain bulbous roots; as, the bulb of the aorta.
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   Bulb of the eye, the eyeball.

   Bulb of a hair, the "root," or part whence the hair
      originates.

   Bulb of the spinal cord, the medulla oblongata, often
      called simply bulb.

   Bulb of a tooth, the vascular and nervous papilla contained
      in the cavity of the tooth.
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   3. An expansion or protuberance on a stem or tube, as the
      bulb of a thermometer, which may be of any form, as
      spherical, cylindrical, curved, etc. --Tomlinson.
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   3. a light bulb.
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