chiasmatic

9.9

Relating to the crossing of nerve fibers, especially where the optic nerves cross

adjective
/ˌkaɪ.æzˈmæt.ɪk/

Specialized

: quiasmático

In anatomy classes, students learn about the chiasmatic crossing of optic nerves.

And these clocks are aligned by a master clock in our brain called the Super chiasmatic nucleus, SCN for short.

Examples

And these clocks are aligned by a master clock in our brain called the Super chiasmatic nucleus, SCN for short.

Mel Robbins
So, So what light comes in through the eyes and triggers the Super chiasmatic nucleus or the kind of cognitive home for our circadian rhythm?
Indeed, some scholars have seen a chiasmatic structure in several of Poe's prose works, and this certainly seems true of Pym, for instance.

Academic text (1999)
The Super chiasmatic nucleus in the brain helps regulate sleep patterns.
Research shows that the chiasmatic fibers play a key role in visual perception.

Synonyms

chiasmic

vschiasmatic

1 9.9

Having a shape like the letter X or describing where two parts cross

focuses specifically on the anatomical crossing of nerve fibers rather than metaphorical uses

chiasmal

vschiasmatic

Specialized

9.9

Relating to the point where the two optic nerves cross behind the eyes

is broader, applying to nerve fiber crossings beyond the optic system

Surface Forms

chiasmatic positive

Morphology

chiasmatic = chiasm (transparent) = chiasm + atic

Formed by adding the productive adjectival suffix '-atic' to 'chiasm', yielding 'relating to a chiasm'; the derivation is straightforward though technical.

Etymology

Chiasmatic comes from the Greek chiasma and from chi, the Greek letter that looks like an 'X' and means 'cross'. So chiasmatic describes parts of the body where nerve fibers cross, for example the area near the eyes where the optic nerves meet and cross, which explains its modern use.