medular

Medular is an adjective historically used to denote relation to the medulla or marrow. It is an alternative spelling of the more common term medullary and is far less common in modern usage. The word derives from Latin medulla, meaning marrow or inner part, and has appeared in various biological and anatomical descriptions over time.

In anatomy, medullary appears in phrases describing internal structures. The medullary cavity is the central hollow within many bones that houses bone marrow. A related tissue, medullary bone, is a specialized bone tissue found in female birds that serves as a calcium reservoir during eggshell formation. In neuroanatomy, the medulla oblongata is a part of the brainstem, and the term medullary is used to describe features associated with that region; autonomic centers regulating respiration and cardiovascular functions are located in the medulla. In modern medical literature, the standard form is medullary, and medular appears mainly as a historical or variant spelling.

Usage and guidance: medullary is the preferred spelling in contemporary scientific writing when referring to structures related to the medulla or marrow. Medular may be encountered in older texts, non-technical contexts, or as an alternate spelling, but it is not commonly used in current professional terminology.

See also: medullary, medulla oblongata, bone marrow, medullary cavity, medullary bone.