Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Medulla
Introduction
Overview
Medulla in general means the inner part, and derives from the Latin word for ‘marrow’. In medicine it is contrasted to the cortex. Examples of its use include:
- the medulla oblongata, a part of the brain stem
- the renal medulla, a part of the kidney
- the adrenal medulla, a part of the adrenal gland
- medulla ossea, the marrow inside the bone
- medulla spinalis, another term for spinal cord
- Medulla of ovary
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]