mammillary body
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- noun
- /ˈmæməˌlɛri ˈbɑdi/
- Specialized
- Neurologists examined the mammillary body for signs of disease in the MRI scan.
Examples
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The mammillary body is an essential structure in the brain's limbic system.
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The mammillary body plays a crucial role in memory.
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Damage to the mammillary body can cause memory disorders such as amnesia.
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What does the mammillary body do?
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The mammillary bodies play an important role in forming memories and linking them to emotions.
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Damage to the mammillary body can lead to serious memory issues, affecting a person's ability to recall events.
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In a healthy brain, the mammillary body contributes to the processing of memories associated with past experiences.
Synonyms
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Small round parts under the brain that help memory
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They are small round parts under the brain that help you remember things
Surface Forms
Morphology
Because 'mammillary' literally means 'nipple-shaped' and 'body' denotes an anatomical part, a learner who knows both constituents can infer a small rounded anatomical structure from the combination. However, the specific referent (paired structures on the underside of the brain) and their role in memory are specialized, non-obvious information that cannot be fully derived from the words alone.
Etymology
The noun mammillary body is named for its shape: mammillary comes from an old word meaning 'little breast' and body means a part, because the two small round bumps under the brain look like tiny breasts. That's why the same name is used for these brain parts that help with 'memory'.