The term "meconial commissura" refers to a structure in the brain that connects the left and right sides. Its spelling is based on Latin roots, with "meconial" deriving from "meconium" (a newborn's first stool) and "commissura" meaning "a joining together". The pronunciation of this term is məˈkonjəl kəˈmɪʃʊrə, with the emphasis on the second syllable in both words. The phonetic transcription indicates that the word is pronounced with a short "e" sound, followed by a schwa in the first syllable of "meconial". The final "a" in "commissura" is pronounced as "uh".
Meconial commissura is a term used in the field of anatomy to refer to a specific anatomical structure found mainly in the developing human brain. The word "meconial" derives from the Latin word "meconium," which refers to the thick, greenish-black, sticky substance that fills the intestines of a newborn baby. The term "commissura" suggests a connecting structure or commissure.
The meconial commissura is a transient structure that links the two hemispheres of the brain, specifically the cerebral hemispheres. It arises during the embryonic stage of brain development and is characterized by a bundle of nerve fibers that cross from one hemisphere to the other. This bundle of fibers, also known as the "commissural fibers," facilitates communication between the two hemispheres, allowing them to work in conjunction and share information.
The meconial commissura typically appears early in fetal development and is subsequently replaced by other more prominent commissural structures, such as the corpus callosum, as the brain continues to develop. In some rare cases, the meconial commissura may persist into later stages of development or even persist throughout an individual's lifetime. However, its function and significance in these cases are not yet fully understood.
Overall, the meconial commissura is an intriguing and specialized structure that plays an essential role in facilitating interhemispheric communication during early brain development.
Anterior gray commissure, the portion of the gray commissure lying in front of the central canal, between it and the anterior white commissure.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "meconial commissura" does not have its own specific etymology as it is a combination of two existing words in Latin: "meconium" and "commissura".
1. Meconium: The word "meconium" comes from the Greek word "mēkōnion" (μήκωνιον), which means "poppy juice". In ancient Greek, it referred to the juice extracted from unripe poppy capsules used as a narcotic. Over time, the term began to be applied to the dark greenish substance found in the intestines of newborns during the first few days after birth. Today, meconium refers to the first fecal excretion of a newborn.
2. Commissura: Derived from the Latin word "commissus", which means "united" or "joined".