thalamus
Anatomy. the middle part of the diencephalon through which sensory impulses pass to reach the cerebral cortex.
Botany. a receptacle or torus.
Also called thalamium. an apartment for women in an ancient Greek house.
Origin of thalamus
1Other words from thalamus
- tha·lam·ic [thuh-lam-ik], /θəˈlæm ɪk/, adjective
- tha·lam·i·cal·ly, adverb
- post·tha·lam·ic, adjective
- sub·tha·lam·ic, adjective
- trans·tha·lam·ic, adjective
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British Dictionary definitions for thalamus
/ (ˈθæləməs) /
either of the two contiguous egg-shaped masses of grey matter at the base of the brain
both of these masses considered as a functional unit
the receptacle or torus of a flower
Origin of thalamus
1Derived forms of thalamus
- thalamic (θəˈlæmɪk), adjective
- thalamically, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for thalamus
[ thăl′ə-məs ]
The part of the vertebrate brain that lies at the rear of the forebrain. It relays sensory information to the cerebral cortex and regulates the perception of touch, pain, and temperature.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for thalamus
[ (thal-uh-muhs) ]
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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