I think this is what you want
PHP Code:
<tr>
<td width="161" height="37"><img src="jewlery/images/menu_head.gif" width="159" height="37" /></td>
<td width="610" rowspan="3" valign="top"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="161" align="left" valign="top" style="background-image: url('jewlery/images/menu_middle.gif'); background-repeat: repeat-x"><br />
meow</p> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="43"><img src="jewlery/images/menu_end.gif" width="159" height="43" /></td>
</tr>
If not, then replace "repeat-x" with "repeat-y"