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[huh-ben-yuh-luh] /həˈbɛn yə lə/
noun, plural habenulae
[huh-ben-yuh-lee] /həˈbɛn yəˌli/ (Show IPA).
a narrow bandlike structure, as the stalk attaching the pineal gland to the thalamus.
1875-80; < Latin: small strip of skin, equivalent to habēn(a) strap, thong, rein (derivative of habēre to have, hold, possess; cf. able, habit1) + -ula -ule
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habenular, adjective Unabridged
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habenula in Medicine

habenula ha·ben·u·la (hā-běn'yə-lə)
n. pl. ha·ben·u·lae (-lē')

  1. A frenulum.

  2. The stalk of the pineal gland. No longer in technical use.

  3. A circumscript cell mass embedded in the posterior end of the medullary stria of the thalamus, from which it receives most of its afferent fibers. Also called habena, pedunculus of pineal body.

ha·ben'u·lar adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
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