suprachiasmatic

English

Alternative forms

• superchiasmatic
• suprachiasmatical

Etymology

From supra- +‎ chiasmatic.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˌsuːpɹəkʌɪəzˈmatɪk/

Adjective

suprachiasmatic (not comparable)

1. Situated above the optic chiasm; specifically, designating a nucleus or region in the paraventricular region of the hypothalamus. [from 20th c.]
   • 2017, Matthew Walker, Why We Sleep, Penguin, published 2018, page 18:

     When I tell you that the suprachiasmatic nucleus is composed of 20,000 brain cells, or neurons, you might assume it is enormous, consuming a vast amount of your cranial space, but actually it is tiny.