ansa
[an´sah] (pl. an´sae) (L.) a looplike structure.
ansa cervica´lis a nerve loop in the neck attached in front and above to the hypoglossal nerve and behind to the upper cervical spinal nerves. Its hypoglossal attachment is misleading since this part of the loop ultimately rejoins the upper spinal nerves. Called also
ansa hypoglossi.
ansa lenticula´ris a small nerve fiber tract arising in the globus pallidus and joining the anterior part of the ventral thalamic nucleus.
an´sae nervo´rum spina´lium loops of spinal nerves joining the anterior spinal nerves.
ansa peduncula´ris peduncular loop: a complex grouping of nerve fibers connecting the amygdaloid nucleus, piriform area, and anterior hypothalamus, and various thalamic nuclei.
Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.