Geniculate

Geniculate refers to a structure that has a bent or knee-like shape. In medical terminology, it is often used to describe certain parts of the body that have this characteristic shape. The term is derived from the Latin word "geniculum" which means "little knee".

Anatomy

There are several structures in the human body that are referred to as geniculate:

• Geniculate ganglion: This is a sensory ganglion for the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) located in the facial canal of the temporal bone. It contains the cell bodies of neurons that carry taste information from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue via the chorda tympani, and sensory information from the external auditory meatus and the skin of the outer ear.

• Geniculate bodies: These are two pairs of small round bodies located on the undersurface of the brain. They are part of the thalamus and are involved in the visual pathway.

• Geniculate nucleus: This is a part of the thalamus that receives inputs from the retina and sends signals to the primary visual cortex.

Pathology

In pathology, the term geniculate is used in the following contexts:

• Geniculate herpes: This is a condition caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus in the geniculate ganglion. It is characterized by a painful rash on the ear (herpes zoster oticus) and may be associated with facial nerve palsy (Ramsay Hunt syndrome).

• Geniculate neuralgia: This is a rare condition characterized by severe, lancinating pain in the ear and areas supplied by the auricular branch of the vagus nerve. It is thought to be caused by neurovascular compression of the sensory root of the facial nerve at the geniculate ganglion.

See also

• Genu
• Knee
• Bend

Geniculate Resources
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