English Reference

Word

pyramidal

Phoneticspyra·mi·dal

US/pɝˈæmədəɫ/

UK/pɪɹˈæmɪdəl/

Definition

adj. shaped like a pyramid, with a wide base and a pointed top. In medicine, it describes a specific part of the brain that helps control movement.

adj. resembling a pyramid in shape; specifically, relating to the pyramidal tract in the brainstem. Often used in anatomical contexts to describe structures with a triangular or conical profile.

Examples

“The doctor examined the pyramidal tract in the patient's brain.”

“The pyramidal cells in the cerebral cortex are responsible for sending signals to the spinal cord to control voluntary muscle movement.”

“Damage to the pyramidal system often results in a loss of fine motor control, as the signals that normally travel from the brain to the muscles are interrupted or delayed.”

Examples

simple

“The doctor examined the pyramidal tract in the patient's brain.”

contextual

“The pyramidal cells in the cerebral cortex are responsible for sending signals to the spinal cord to control voluntary muscle movement.”

complex

“Damage to the pyramidal system often results in a loss of fine motor control, as the signals that normally travel from the brain to the muscles are interrupted or delayed.”

Etymology

From Medieval Latin pȳramidālis.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Domain

Anatomy

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference