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Glite Dictionary
piriform lobe

piriform lobe

9.8
A pear-shaped part of the brain that helps you smell
  • noun
  • /ˈpɪrɪfɔrm loʊb/
  • Specialized
translation icon : lóbulo piriforme
  • Damage to the piriform lobe can affect a person's sense of smell.

Examples

  • The piriform lobe plays a crucial role in our sense of smell.

  • In humans, the piriform lobes are located in the anterior part of the brain.

  • Researchers mapped neural pathways connecting the piriform lobe to other parts of the brain.

  • The piriform lobe is crucial in processing olfactory information in mammals.

  • The piriform lobe is essential for interpreting smells and plays a central role in olfaction.

  • Damage to the piriform lobe can significantly impair a person's ability to detect odors.

  • Researchers found that the piriform lobe is involved in the emotional response to different scents.

Synonyms

pyriform lobe
vspiriform lobe
  • Specialized
9.9

A pear-shaped part of the brain that helps you smell

uses the preferred spelling instead of the alternate form
piriform area
vspiriform lobe
  • Specialized
9.5

A pear-shaped part of the brain that processes smells

treats the region as a defined brain subdivision rather than a general term
pyriform area
vspiriform lobe
  • Specialized
9.9

A pear-shaped part of the brain on each side that helps process smells

uses standard spelling and treats the region as a distinct subdivision

Surface Forms

piriform lobe singular
piriform lobes plural

Morphology

piriform + lobe

The meaning is directly compositional: 'piriform' = pear-shaped and 'lobe' = a rounded projecting part, so a learner who knows both words can infer it denotes a pear-shaped anatomical part (here a brain region). The specific olfactory function is domain-specific and may need context, but the basic shape and organ reference are transparently derivable from the constituents.

Etymology

Piriform lobe gets its name from old words for 'pear' because this part of the brain looks like a small pear, and piriform means 'pear-shaped' while lobe means 'a rounded part'. Because this pear-shaped part sits near the nose and helps with 'smell', the name helps you remember its role.