commissure

noun

com·​mis·​sure ˈkä-mə-ˌshu̇r 

1

: a point or line of union or junction especially between two anatomical parts (such as adjacent heart valves)

2

: a connecting band of nerve tissue in the brain or spinal cord

commissural

ˌkä-mə-ˈshu̇r-əl 

adjective

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, "suture, seam," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin commissūra "joint, juncture, seam," from commissus (past participle of committere "to join together") + -ūra -ure — more at commit

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

commissure

noun

com·​mis·​sure ˈkäm-ə-ˌshu̇(ə)r 

1

: a point or line of union or junction between two anatomical parts (as the lips at their angles or adjacent heart valves)

2

: a connecting band of nerve tissue in the brain or spinal cord see anterior commissure, corpus callosum, gray commissure, habenular commissure, hippocampal commissure, posterior commissure compare massa intermedia

commissural

ˌkäm-ə-ˈshu̇r-əl 

adjective