On Thu, 26 Oct 2000, Renner, Michael wrote:
> I loved Stephen Black's etymology lesson about brain terms, but I think I
> have to take issue with one term:
>
> "...rhinencephalon (smell brain)"
>
> Doesn't it more literally translate as "nose brain"? (I like
> it because it evokes better imagery.) Comments, Stephen?
> Anyone?
Absolutely right, but, hey! I'm just the messenger here. In my
day, Craigie was the bible of rat neuroanatomy, so if he
translates it as "smell brain", who am I to argue?
I went back and took another look and what he actually says is
"olfactory or smell brain", and other sources do use the term
"olfactory brain" instead. But "nose brain" just smells fishy to
me, etymological correctness notwithstanding.
I also checked another classic, Gardner's _Fundamentals of
Neurology_ and he has a few more translations. I hope Michael
won't give me a hard time over these as well.
Metencephalon is afterbrain, and myelencephalon is marrowbrain.
The last sounds like a great name to call someone.
-Stephen
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Stephen Black, Ph.D. tel: (819) 822-9600 ext 2470
Department of Psychology fax: (819) 822-9661
Bishop's University e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Lennoxville, QC
J1M 1Z7
Canada Department web page at http://www.ubishops.ca/ccc/div/soc/psy
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