medullary
The term "medullary" refers to anything related to the medulla, which is a part of the brain or the inner region of certain organs. In the context of the brain, the medulla oblongata is responsible for regulating vital functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. It is located at the base of the brain, connecting the brain to the spinal cord.
In anatomy, "medullary" can also describe the inner part of organs like the kidney or bone. For example, the medullary cavity in bones contains bone marrow, which is essential for producing blood cells. Understanding the medullary structures is important in fields like medicine and biology.