fornix

American  

[fawr-niks] / ˈfɔr nɪks /

noun

Anatomy.

plural

fornices

1. any of various arched or vaulted structures, as an arching fibrous formation in the brain.

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fornix British  

/ ˈfɔːnɪks /

noun

1. anatomy any archlike structure, esp the arched band of white fibres at the base of the brain

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Other Word Forms

• fornical
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of fornix

1675–85; < Latin: vault, arch

Example Sentences

The fornix, a C-shaped bundle of nerves, was similarly deteriorated, stripped of its relative heft.

From New York Times • Nov. 9, 2017

A self-collected stool specimen represented the microbiota of the lower gastrointestinal tract, and three vaginal specimens were collected from the vaginal introitus, midpoint and posterior fornix.

From Nature • Jun. 13, 2012

In their first article from 1997, epochs ago in academic terms, Olry and Haines revealed the surprising origins of the term "fornix."

From Slate • May 17, 2011

You'd have numerous and noticeable problems if your fornix weren't functioning properly, including serious impairments in spatial learning and overall navigation.

From Slate • May 17, 2011

The fornix is an arch-shaped band of nerve fibres extending in the antero-posterior direction.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Slice 4 "Bradford, William" to "Brequigny, Louis" by Various