A smooth oval prominence of the ventrolateral surface of the medulla oblongata lateral to the pyramidal tract, corresponding to the inferior olivary nucleus. SYN: corpus olivare, inferior olive, olivary body, olivary eminence, olive (1). [L.]
- o. inferior the o..
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oli·va (o-liґvə) gen. and pl. oliґvae [L.] [TA] olive: a rounded elevation, lateral to the upper part of each pyramid of the medulla oblongata, between the anterolateral and posterolateral sulci; it is formed by an irregular mass of gray substance (nucleus olivaris caudalis) located just beneath its surface and is linked by fiber systems to the pons and cerebellum. Called also inferior olive, olivary body, and olivary nucleus.
Oliva (olive) shown in an anterior (inferior) view of the brain.
Medical dictionary. 2011.