MEDULLA OBLONGATA, is the medullary part of the brain and cerebellum, joined in one; the fore-part of it coming from the brain, and the hind-part from the cerebellum. See ANATOMY, n° 134.
It lies on the basis of the skull, and is continued thro' the great perforation thereof into the hollow of the vertebrae of the neck, back, and loins; though only so much of it retains the name oblongata as is included within the skull. After its exit thence, it is distinguished by the name of medulla spinalis. Ibid. n° 135.