Eminentia gracilis is a term used in anatomy to describe a small, elongated protrusion found on the dorsal surface of the medulla oblongata in the brainstem. The spelling of this term is based on Latin, with "eminentia" meaning "prominence" and "gracilis" meaning "slender." In IPA phonetic transcription, the term is pronounced as ˌɛməˈnɛnʃə ˈɡreɪsəlɪs. This pronunciation includes stressed syllables on "nent," "grace," and "sis" with short vowel sounds on the other syllables.
Eminentia gracilis is a term used in anatomy to describe a specific anatomical structure found in the human brainstem. It refers to a thin prominence located on the ventrolateral surface of the medulla oblongata, the lowermost part of the brainstem.
The eminentia gracilis forms part of the lower portion of the dorsal column-medial lemniscus pathway, a major pathway that carries sensory information related to fine touch and proprioception from the body to the brain.
This structure is primarily involved in the transmission and processing of sensory information related to the lower extremities. Through the dorsal columns, sensory fibers from the lower body send signals to the medulla oblongata, where the information is processed and subsequently relayed to higher brain regions.
The exact function of the eminentia gracilis is not fully understood, but it is believed to play a crucial role in the accurate interpretation and integration of sensory information related to touch, vibration, and proprioception from the lower limbs. Damage or lesions affecting this structure can lead to sensory abnormalities, such as loss of touch and proprioceptive sensations in the lower extremities.
Overall, the eminentia gracilis is a vital anatomical feature essential for the proper functioning of the somatosensory system, ensuring the accurate perception of touch and proprioceptive sensations from the lower body.
Funiculus gracilis.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "eminentia gracilis" is a phrase that combines Latin and English terms. Here's the breakdown:
1. Eminentia: The Latin word "eminentia" means "eminence" or "prominence". It is derived from the Latin verb "eminere", which means "to stand out" or "to project".
2. Gracilis: The Latin word "gracilis" means "slender" or "thin". It is derived from the Latin adjective "gracilis", which represents the same meaning.
So, "eminentia gracilis" can be understood as a combination of the Latin word for "eminence" or "prominence" with the Latin term for "slender" or "thin".