DENTATE GYRUS Meaning and
Definition
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The dentate gyrus is a distinct region within the hippocampus, a part of the brain that plays a crucial role in memory formation and spatial navigation. It is named so due to its characteristic jagged or tooth-like appearance, resembling the shape of a comb or a serrated edge.
Anatomically, the dentate gyrus is located in the medial temporal lobe of the brain, and it is primarily composed of granule cells, which are a type of excitatory neurons. These granule cells receive input from the entorhinal cortex, which is responsible for relaying information from various sensory modalities to the hippocampus.
In terms of function, the dentate gyrus is involved in the process of neurogenesis, which refers to the formation of new neurons. It is one of the few brain regions where neurogenesis occurs throughout adulthood, contributing to the brain's ability to adapt and form new memories. The dentate gyrus also plays a role in pattern separation, a process that helps distinguish similar experiences or memories from one another. Additionally, it has been implicated in regulating stress responses and mood-related behaviors.
Overall, the dentate gyrus is a structurally distinct and functionally important region within the hippocampus that contributes to memory formation, pattern separation, neurogenesis, and emotional regulation.
Common Misspellings for DENTATE GYRUS
- sentate gyrus
- xentate gyrus
- centate gyrus
- fentate gyrus
- rentate gyrus
- eentate gyrus
- dwntate gyrus
- dsntate gyrus
- ddntate gyrus
- drntate gyrus
- d4ntate gyrus
- d3ntate gyrus
- debtate gyrus
- demtate gyrus
- dejtate gyrus
- dehtate gyrus
- denrate gyrus
- denfate gyrus
- dengate gyrus
- denyate gyrus
Etymology of DENTATE GYRUS
The word "dentate gyrus" comes from the combination of two terms:
1. Dentate: The term "dentate" is derived from the Latin word "dens", which means tooth. In the context of the brain anatomy, "dentate" refers to the tooth-like shape or appearance of a structure, which in this case is related to a specific area within the brain.
2. Gyrus: The term "gyrus" is also derived from Latin, specifically from the Latin word "gyrus" itself, which means a circular or rounded object. In neuroanatomy, a gyrus refers to a ridge or fold in the cerebral cortex, which is the outermost layer of the brain.
Combining the two terms, "dentate gyrus" refers to a specific structure within the brain that has a tooth-like shape and is part of the cerebral cortex.
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