metencephalon

American  

[met-en-sef-uh-lon] / ˌmɛt ɛnˈsɛf əˌlɒn /

noun

Anatomy.

plural

metencephalons, metencephala

1. the anterior section of the hindbrain, comprising the cerebellum and pons.

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metencephalon British  

/ ˌmɛtɛnsɪˈfælɪk, ˌmɛtɛnˈsɛfəˌlɒn /

noun

1. the part of the embryonic hindbrain that develops into the cerebellum and pons Varolii

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Other Word Forms

• metencephalic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of metencephalon

First recorded in 1870–75; met- + encephalon

Example Sentences

The metencephalon corresponds to the adult structure known as the pons and also gives rise to the cerebellum.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The rhombencephalon develops into the metencephalon and myelencephalon.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The brain stem includes the midbrain, pons, and medulla, which correspond to the mesencephalon, metencephalon, and myelencephalon.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The cerebellum originates out of the metencephalon, and its largest white matter connection is to the pons, also from the metencephalon.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

A constriction also occurs in the hind vesicle or rhombencephalon, dividing it into an anterior part, the metencephalon, from which the cerebellum is developed, and a posterior or myelencephalon, the primitive medulla oblongata.

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