1. The plural of myelencephalon; the hindbrain structures including the medulla oblongata.
Usage: anatomy; technical; plural form

Examples

• The myelencephala develop from the rhombencephalon during embryonic development.
• Damage to the myelencephala can affect vital functions such as breathing and heart rate.
• In comparative anatomy, the myelencephala of different vertebrate species show structural variations.
• The myelencephala contain important nuclei responsible for autonomic regulation.