habenula

[ huh-ben-yuh-luh ]

noun

, Anatomy.

, plural ha·ben·u·lae [h, uh, -, ben, -y, uh, -lee].

1. a narrow bandlike structure, as the stalk attaching the pineal gland to the thalamus.

Other Words From

• ha·benu·lar adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of habenula¹

1875–80; < Latin: small strip of skin, equivalent to habēn ( a ) strap, thong, rein (derivative of habēre to have, hold, possess; able, habit ¹ ) + -ula -ule