Spanish word

médula

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈmeðula/

Meaning

  • feminine nounbone marrow

Example

El médico tomó una muestra de médula para la biopsia.

The doctor took a sample of bone marrow for the biopsy.

Illustration for médula (bone marrow)

More examples

Tras el accidente sufrió una lesión en la médula espinal.

After the accident he suffered an injury to the spinal cord.

Core concept

Soft inner bone tissue containing red and yellow marrow.

Common phrases

  • la médula espinal

    spinal cord

Similar words

médula ósea: Tissue inside bones responsible for producing blood cells.
médula espinal: Bundle of nerves running through the spine that transmits movement and sensory signals.

Definition in Spanish

Tejido blando situado en el interior de los huesos que contiene médula roja y amarilla y participa en la formación de células sanguíneas; en sentido figurado, la parte más esencial de algo.

Word origin

From Latin medulla 'marrow', with the anatomical meaning giving rise to a metaphorical sense of the essential or central part.

Usage tips

  • In everyday language speakers often prefer words like 'esencia' or 'núcleo' for a figurative 'core', which makes 'médula' more common in medical or formal contexts.

Other meanings

  • essencenoun
  • pithnoun
  • medullanoun

Word lists with this word