Epithalamus
/ˌɛpɪˈθæləməs/noun
A part of the diencephalon in the brain that includes structures such as the pineal gland and habenula.
Did you know?The term was borrowed from Greek anatomical vocabulary, where the same root also named a wedding song sung outside the bridal chamber, so the brain’s epithalamus carries a surprisingly ceremonial name.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Gk
ἐπιθάλαμος (epithalamos)
“of or for the bridal chamber; a wedding song”
Ancient Greek
Gk
ἐπιθαλάμιον (epithalamion)
“a wedding song or poem sung at the bridal chamber”
Late Latin
Lat
epithalamus
“an anatomical borrowing from Greek usage”
16th–17th Century
Eng
epithalamus
“a term adopted in anatomy for a region above the thalamus”
Modern English
Eng
epithalamus
“the dorsal part of the diencephalon”
Explore more surprising origins