prosencephalon
9.9
The front part of the brain in early development before birth that grows into the thinking part and thalamus
- noun
- /ˌprɒsənˈsɛfəlɒn/
- Specialized
:
prosencéfalo
- The prosencephalon is responsible for many important functions, including vision and emotions.
Examples
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Understanding how the prosencephalon develops can help researchers study brain disorders.
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During embryonic development, the prosencephalon forms the forebrain of the brain.
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To the prosencephalon section of the brain.
Synonyms
3
7.5
The front part of the brain that controls thinking, memory, and planning
focuses on embryonic development from the anterior neural tube
Surface Forms
prosencephalon singular
prosencephala plural
Morphology
prosencephalon = encephalon (opaque) = pros + encephalon
The prefix 'pros-' and the root 'encephalon' are not recognizable to most English learners, making the meaning opaque.
Etymology
Prosencephalon breaks into two Greek parts: pros- meaning 'before' or 'front' and encephalon meaning 'brain'. So prosencephalon is the 'front part of the brain', which is why the term names the early brain region that later forms the cerebrum and thalamus.