Hiatus tendineus refers to a small gap or opening in a tendon. To understand the precise spelling of this word, we can use the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) to break it down. The first syllable, "hiatus," is spelled as /haɪˈeɪtəs/ and pronounced "high-AY-tuss." The second syllable, "tendineus," is spelled as /tɛnˈdaɪniəs/ and pronounced "ten-DYE-nee-us." Therefore, "hiatus tendineus" is spelled as /haɪˈeɪtəs tɛnˈdaɪniəs/ and pronounced "high-AY-tuss ten-DYE-nee-us."
Hiatus tendineus is a medical term that refers to a natural gap or opening in a particular structure or organ. The term is primarily used in anatomy to describe a specific anatomical feature found in the human diaphragm, a thin muscular sheet that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities. In this context, the hiatus tendineus refers to a small, fibrous opening within the diaphragm muscle.
Located in the central tendon of the diaphragm, the hiatus tendineus functions as a passage for certain structures that pass between the thoracic and abdominal compartments. These structures include the inferior vena cava (IVC), which returns deoxygenated blood from the lower body to the heart, and the esophagus, which transports food from the throat down to the stomach. The opening allows these structures to connect with their respective organs in the abdomen.
Despite its small size, the hiatus tendineus has vital functional implications. It serves to maintain the structural integrity of the diaphragm while enabling the passage of critical vessels and organs. Any abnormalities or disruptions in the hiatus tendineus can lead to anatomical changes, such as hiatal hernias, where a portion of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm into the chest cavity.
Overall, the hiatus tendineus is an essential component of the anatomical makeup of the diaphragm, facilitating the passage of crucial structures between the thoracic and abdominal regions of the body.
The anterior opening of Hunter's canal.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "hiatus tendineus" is a Latin phrase. The etymology of this phrase involves two main components:
1. Hiatus: The word "hiatus" comes from the Latin noun "hiātus", which means "opening", "gaping", or "interval". It is derived from the verb "hiare", which means "to stand open" or "to gape".
2. Tendineus: The word "tendineus" comes from the Latin adjective "tendineus" or "tendineusa", which means "sinewy" or "tendinous". It is derived from the noun "tendo", meaning "sinew" or "tendon".
When combined, "hiatus tendineus" refers to a tendinous opening or space.