prosencephalon

[ pros-en-sef-uh-lon, -luhn ]

noun

, Anatomy.

, plural pros·en·ceph·a·las, pros·en·ceph·a·la [pros-en-, sef, -, uh, -l, uh].

1. the forebrain.

prosencephalon

/ ˌprɒsɛnˈsɛfəlɒn; ˌprɒsɛnsɪˈfælɪk /

noun

1. See rhombencephalon, mesencephalon
   the part of the brain that develops from the anterior portion of the neural tube Nontechnical nameforebrain Compare mesencephalon rhombencephalon

Derived Forms

• prosencephalic, adjective

Other Words From

• pros·en·ce·phal·ic [pros-en-s, uh, -, fal, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prosencephalon¹

1840–50; < New Latin < Greek prós ( ō ) forward (akin to pró pro- ² ) + enképhalon encephalon

Word History and Origins

Origin of prosencephalon¹

C19: from New Latin, from Greek prosō forward + enkephalos brain