The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Medulla \Me*dul"la\, n. [L.]
1. Marrow; pith; hence, essence. [Obs.] --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Anat.) The marrow of bones; the deep or inner portion of
an organ or part; as, the medulla, or medullary substance,
of the kidney; specifically, the medula oblongata.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Bot.) A soft tissue, occupying the center of the stem or
branch of a plant; pith.
[1913 Webster]
4. See medulla oblongata.
[PJC]
Medulla oblongata. [L., oblong medulla] (Anat.), the
posterior part of the brain connected with the spinal
cord. It includes all the hindbrain except the cerebellum
and pons, and from it a large part of the cranial nerves
arise. It controls very largely respiration, circulation,
swallowing, and other functions, and is the most vital
part of the brain; -- called also bulb of the spinal
cord. See Brain.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Bulb \Bulb\ (b[u^]lb), n. [L. bulbus, Gr. bolbo`s: cf. F.
bulbe.]
1. (Bot.) A spheroidal body growing from a plant either above
or below the ground (usually below), which is strictly a
bud, consisting of a cluster of partially developed
leaves, and producing, as it grows, a stem above, and
roots below, as in the onion, tulip, etc. It differs from
a corm in not being solid.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Anat.) A name given to some parts that resemble in shape
certain bulbous roots; as, the bulb of the aorta.
[1913 Webster]
Bulb of the eye, the eyeball.
Bulb of a hair, the "root," or part whence the hair
originates.
Bulb of the spinal cord, the medulla oblongata, often
called simply bulb.
Bulb of a tooth, the vascular and nervous papilla contained
in the cavity of the tooth.
[1913 Webster]
3. An expansion or protuberance on a stem or tube, as the
bulb of a thermometer, which may be of any form, as
spherical, cylindrical, curved, etc. --Tomlinson.
[1913 Webster]
3. a light bulb.
[1913 Webster]