myelencephalon

noun

my·​e·​len·​ceph·​a·​lon ˌmī-ə-len-ˈse-fə-ˌlän 

-lən-

: the posterior part of the developing vertebrate hindbrain or the corresponding part of the adult brain composed of the medulla oblongata

myelencephalic

ˌmī-ə-ˌlen(t)-sə-ˈfa-lik 

adjective

Word History

Etymology

earlier, as a name for the cerebrospinal axis of vertebrates, from myel- + encephalon, perhaps after French myélencéphale

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

myelencephalon

noun

my·​el·​en·​ceph·​a·​lon ˌmī-ə-len-ˈsef-ə-ˌlän, -lən 

: the posterior part of the developing vertebrate hindbrain or the corresponding part of the adult brain composed of the medulla oblongata

myelencephalic

-ˌlen(t)-sə-ˈfal-ik 

adjective