Encephalomere is a term used in neurobiology to describe a segment of the brain that controls certain functions or behaviors. Its spelling can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as en-sef-a-lo-mir. The "en" and "sef" sounds represent the prefix "encephalo-", which refers to the brain. The "a" and "lo" sounds represent the root "mer-" which means "part." Finally, the "mir" sound represents the suffix "-mere," which means "segment." Together, these syllables spell out the complex term encephalomere.
Encephalomere is a term used in the field of neurobiology and neuroanatomy to describe a specific segment or unit of the brain. It refers to a distinctive region within the brain that may exhibit specialized functions or have unique characteristics. The term is derived from the combination of two words: "encephalo," meaning pertaining to the brain, and "mere," meaning a distinct part or segment.
Encephalomeres are often defined based on various anatomical criteria such as patterns of cellular organization, connectivity, or gene expression. These segments can vary in size and shape, and may be present at different levels of brain organization, ranging from microscopic structures to larger regions. Encephalomeres can be identified across different species, although their specific composition and features may differ.
The concept of encephalomeres is extensively used to aid in the understanding of brain development, organization, and function. By delineating distinct encephalomeric regions within the brain, researchers can gain insights into the specialized roles played by different parts of the brain and how they interact with each other.
Overall, encephalomeres serve as a useful framework for partitioning and describing the complex and heterogeneous structure of the brain, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of its intricate functioning.
One of the embryonal segments composing the primitive brain.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "encephalomere" is a compound noun derived from the Greek words "encephalo" (ἐγκέφαλος) meaning "brain" and "meros" (μέρος) meaning "part" or "portion". Therefore, the word "encephalomere" can be understood to mean "a part or portion of the brain".