fornix

American  

[fawr-niks] / ˈfɔr nɪks /

noun

Anatomy.

fornices plural

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

Derived Forms

• fornical
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• fornices
  plural

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

Behind the genu the fifth ventricle is cut, and behind that the two pillars of the fornix which here form the anterior boundary of the third ventricle.

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