COLLICULUS Meaning and
Definition
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The term "colliculus" refers to a small rounded prominence or elevation found in various parts of the human body. Derived from the Latin word meaning "little hill," colliculus is commonly used in anatomical and medical contexts to describe specific structures located in the brainstem and the visual system.
In the brainstem, the colliculus specifically refers to a pair of small bumps, the superior colliculus and the inferior colliculus, which are part of the midbrain. The superior colliculus primarily functions as a visual center, receiving information about visual stimuli and coordinating eye movements. It plays a key role in directing gaze towards objects of interest and detecting the location of visual targets. On the other hand, the inferior colliculus is involved in auditory processing, receiving input from the auditory nerve and contributing to sound localization and the startle reflex.
In the visual system, the colliculus can also refer to the optic chiasm, where the optic nerves cross over, or to a small prominence on the retina known as the optic disc or optic colliculus. The optic disc is the entrance point for the optic nerve, and it lacks photoreceptor cells, resulting in a blind spot in our visual field.
Overall, the term "colliculus" is used to describe these small elevations or structures within the human body, mainly in the brainstem and the visual system, that are involved in various sensory processing and coordination functions.
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In anatomy, a small elevation above the surrounding parts.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for COLLICULUS
- collicults
- colliculu3
- colliculuc
- colliculuq
- colliculur
- c olliculus
- co lliculus
- col liculus
- coll iculus
- colli culus
- collic ulus
- collicu lus
- collicul us
- colliculu s
Etymology of COLLICULUS
The word "colliculus" derives from Latin. It is the diminutive form of the Latin word "collis", which means "hill" or "mound". "Colliculus" essentially means "small hill" or "little mound". In anatomical terms, it is used to refer to certain raised structures or eminences found in the brain, particularly in the midbrain region.
Similar spelling words for COLLICULUS
- calicles,
- GLUCLS,
- calculous,
- clockless,
- caulicolous,
- calyculus,
- Cauliculus,
- colloquials,
- Calculs,
- klagholz,
- galloglass,
- clickless,
- Gallowglass,
- colocalize,
- calculus,
- Colloquialize,
- lambda-calculus,
- kleagles,
- pre-calculus,
- glocalize,
- caliculus,
- calycles,
- Glycols,
- colglazier,
- Calculose,
- caulicles,
- colloquialise,
- calycules,
- callicles,
- pi-calculus.
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