Medulla

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

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