Lacunae

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Lacunae

Lacunae (pronunciation: lə-ˈkyü-nē) is a term derived from the Latin word 'lacuna', meaning 'gap' or 'cavity'. It is used in various fields of study, including medicine, to denote a gap, cavity, or void space.

Medical Definition

In the field of medicine, lacunae refer to small cavities or spaces in the body tissues or organs where something (such as a cell, air, or fluid) is absent or missing. These spaces are often found in the bones, cartilage, and other connective tissues.

Etymology

The term 'lacunae' is derived from the Latin word 'lacuna', which means 'gap' or 'cavity'. It was first used in English in the 18th century to describe gaps or missing parts in manuscripts or works of art. The medical usage of the term to denote small cavities in the body tissues or organs came later.

Related Terms

  • Osteocyte: A type of bone cell that resides in lacunae.
  • Chondrocyte: A cell that has secreted the matrix of cartilage and become embedded in it, residing in lacunae.
  • Lacunar stroke: A type of stroke that occurs when one of the arteries supplying blood to the brain's deep structures is blocked, leading to a 'lacuna' or small cavity in the brain tissue.
  • Lacunar amnesia: A type of memory loss where a specific event or period of time is erased from memory, creating a 'lacuna' or gap in memory.

See Also

External links

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