The lowest part of the brainstem that controls vital automatic functions including breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and reflexes like swallowing and vomiting.
From Latin medulla meaning 'marrow' or 'innermost part,' originally referring to bone marrow but extended to mean the inner core of any structure, including this essential core of the brainstem.
Your medulla is literally keeping you alive right now without you thinking about it - it's controlling your breathing, heartbeat, and blood pressure every single second. Damage to this penny-sized region is often fatal because it houses the body's most critical life-support systems, which is why brainstem strokes are so devastating!
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