mammillary body

noun

variants or mamillary body
anatomy
: either of two small, rounded bodies that project from the posterior hypothalamus, receive input from the hippocampus via the fornix and relay impulses to the anterior nuclei of the thalamus, and are thought to play a role in memory

Examples of mammillary body in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These symptoms are localized to a specific area of the brain known as the mammillary bodies near the brain stem, and may be caused by severe, chronic alcohol consumption. Greg Licholai, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mammillary body was in 1828

Dictionary Entries Near mammillary body

Cite this Entry

“Mammillary body.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mammillary%20body. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

mammillary body

noun
variants or mamillary body
: either of two small rounded bodies that project from the posterior hypothalamus, receive input from the hippocampus via the fornix and relay impulses to the anterior nuclei of the thalamus, and are thought to play a role in memory

called also corpus albicans

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