Gyrus callosus is a term used in neuroscience to describe a portion of the brain's surface. The spelling of this word is derived from Latin and Greek roots. The first part, gyrus, comes from the Greek word γυρος (giros) meaning "circle." The second part, callosus, comes from the Latin word callosus meaning "hard" or "callous." When pronounced in IPA phonetic transcription, the word is ˈdʒaɪ.rəs kəˈlɒs.əs. Understanding the origin of the spelling of scientific terms can help to accurately communicate within the scientific community.
The term "gyrus callosus" refers to a specific anatomical structure in the human brain. Also known as the "corpus callosum," the gyrus callosus is a thick bundle of nerve fibers, or axons, that connects the two cerebral hemispheres, namely, the left and right cerebral cortices.
The gyrus callosus plays a crucial role in facilitating communication and information transfer between the two hemispheres. It allows for interhemispheric integration, enabling the left and right brain to work together and share information. This integration is vital for coordinating various cognitive functions, including language processing, perception, attention, memory, and reasoning.
Anatomy-wise, the gyrus callosus is located in the midline of the brain, running horizontally and longitudinally. It lies beneath the cerebral cortex, positioned above the lateral ventricles and the diencephalon, which houses important structures like the thalamus and hypothalamus.
The gyrus callosus exhibits a distinctive shape, resembling an arched bridge or a cross-section of a partial circle. It consists of various subareas, such as the rostrum, genu, body, and splenium, each responsible for connecting specific regions of the hemispheres. These subareas allow for focused and specialized transfer of information between brain regions that perform different functions.
In summary, the gyrus callosus, or the corpus callosum, is a crucial anatomical structure in the human brain. It facilitates communication and integration between the left and right cerebral hemispheres, supporting various cognitive functions essential for human cognition and behavior.
Callosal convolution, g. cinguli.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "gyrus callosus" is derived from Latin and Greek roots.
1. "Gyrus" comes from the Latin word "gyrus", meaning "circle" or "fold". It refers to a ridge or convolution on the surface of the brain.
2. "Callosus" comes from the Latin word "callosus", meaning "calloused" or "hardened". It is derived from the Latin "callum", meaning "thick skin" or "hardened skin".
In combination, "gyrus callosus" refers to a specific convolution or fold in the brain known as the "callosal gyrus" or "gyrus fornicatus". This structure is located in the medial part of the cerebral hemisphere and is connected with the corpus callosum, which is a thick bundle of nerve fibers that allows communication between the left and right hemispheres of the brain.