chiasm

noun

chi·​asm ˈkī-ˌa-zəm  ˈkē- 

: chiasma sense 1

Examples of chiasm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Not by accident, that spot is directly above and linked to the optic chiasm, the X where nerve cells from the left and right eyes cross. —Dan Hurley, Discover Magazine, 4 Nov. 2016

In the case of vision, the optic nerves leading from each eye meet inside the brain at what is called the optic chiasm. —Michael S Gazzaniga, Discover Magazine, 29 Feb. 2012

Here, each nerve splits in half; the medial half (the inside track) of each crosses the optic chiasm into the opposite side of the brain, and the lateral half (that on the outside) stays on the same side. —Michael S Gazzaniga, Discover Magazine, 29 Feb. 2012

Most people have an optic chiasm, a crossroads where half of the signals from each eye cross over the midline, in such a way that each half of the brain gets information from one side of space. —Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 14 Apr. 2013

Word History

Etymology

New Latin chiasma

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for chiasm

• chasm
• plasm
• spasm
• bronchospasm
• cytoplasm
• ectoplasm
• neoplasm
• protoplasm
• vasospasm
• enthusiasm
• iconoclasm
• germplasm

Medical Definition

chiasm

noun

chi·​asm ˈkī-ˌaz-əm  ˈkē- 

: chiasma sense 1