Skip to main content
dehiscent

dehiscent

9.9
Plant parts, like seed pods, that split open and let out seeds
  • adjective
  • /dɪˈhɪsənt/
  • Specialized
: dehiscente
  • As the plant matured, its dehiscent fruits burst open, releasing their seeds into the wind.

Examples

  • The pea pods were dehiscent, splitting open to scatter seeds across the garden.

  • The dehiscent capsule of the plant splits readily when ripe, ensuring its seeds are dispersed effectively.

  • The nerve may be dehiscent and course above or below the oval window, or even through the stapedial arch.

    Academic text (1996)
  • The horizontal portion of the facial nerve was in a normal position relative to the stapes, but dehiscent.

    Academic text (2003)
  • In 535 temporal bones, 55% of the facial nerves were dehiscent.

    Academic text (1996)
  • A dehiscent nerve has been found in the external bony ear canal 2 to 3 mm lateral to the tympanic membrane.

    Academic text (1996)
  • Temporal bone studies suggest that the bone overlying the superior semicircular canal may be dehiscent in as much as 0.7% of the population and less than 1 mm thick in another 1.3% of individuals.

    Academic text (2009)
  • Lateral dissection is done with great care, especially in the posterior lateral corner where the bony covering of the optic nerve may be dehiscent.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Photograph shows a horizontal canal fistula (black arrow), dehiscent facial nerve (large white arrow), and unresectable cholesteatoma (small white arrow).

    Academic text (2001)
  • 33 Dietzel (cited by Kettel) reported 57% of 211 temporal bones to have a dehiscent segment of the facial nerve.

    Academic text (1996)

Synonyms

dissilient
vsdehiscent
  • Specialized
9.9

Opening suddenly and forcefully like a pod releasing seeds

splits open at maturity without a forceful burst to release seeds

Antonyms

indehiscent
  • Specialized
1 9.9

Does not open when ripe to release seeds

How Open

dehiscent
  • Specialized
9.9
indehiscent
  • Specialized
1 9.9

Surface Forms

dehiscent positive

Morphology

dehiscent = dehisce (opaque) = dehisce + ent

The adjective is formed from the technical verb 'dehisce' + '-ent', but the root and prefix are technical/Latin-derived and not transparent to average learners, so the meaning cannot be reliably guessed from familiar English parts.

Etymology

Dehiscent comes from the Latin parts de- meaning 'away' and hiscere meaning 'to split open'. So a dehiscent fruit or seed pod is one that opens on its own to 'release' its seeds.