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habenula

American  
[huh-ben-yuh-luh] / həˈbɛn yə lə /

noun

Anatomy.

plural

habenulae
  1. a narrow bandlike structure, as the stalk attaching the pineal gland to the thalamus.


Other Word Forms

  • habenular adjective

Etymology

Origin of habenula

1875–80; < Latin: small strip of skin, equivalent to habēn ( a ) strap, thong, rein (derivative of habēre to have, hold, possess; able, habit 1 ) + -ula -ule

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The habenula, for its part, clearly acts as a kind of "satnav," showing the fish where it can locate a comfortable temperature and guiding it straight back there.

From Science Daily • Feb. 1, 2024

The habenula might potentially store its location, enabling it to reconstruct sequences of movement.

From Science Daily • Feb. 1, 2024

Meanwhile, chronically high glucose levels—communicated through the vagus and other interoceptive pathways—cause the habenula to respond less vigorously to nicotine, prompting the rats to seek more of the drug.

From Science Magazine • Jun. 10, 2021

When nicotine binds to neuronal receptors in a brain region called the habenula, Kenny found, it prompts the pancreas to release glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar.

From Science Magazine • Jun. 10, 2021

GABA/glutamate co-release controls habenula output and is modified by antidepressant treatment.

From Nature • Feb. 13, 2018