Geniculum
Encyclopedia
A geniculum is a small genu
, or angular knee
-like structure. It is often used in anatomical nomenclature to designate a sharp knee-like bend in a small structure or organ.
For example, in the facial canal
, the genicular ganglion is situated on the geniculum of the facial nerve
, the point where the nerve changes its direction.
Genu
Latin for "knee", genu is a term commonly encountered in studies of anatomy. It is used to refer to several anatomical structures, including :* conditions affecting the knees, such as genu valgum and genu varum...
, or angular knee
Knee
The knee joint joins the thigh with the leg and consists of two articulations: one between the fibula and tibia, and one between the femur and patella. It is the largest joint in the human body and is very complicated. The knee is a mobile trocho-ginglymus , which permits flexion and extension as...
-like structure. It is often used in anatomical nomenclature to designate a sharp knee-like bend in a small structure or organ.
For example, in the facial canal
Facial canal
The facial canal is a Z-shaped canal running through the temporal bone from the internal acoustic meatus to the stylomastoid foramen. In humans it is approximately 3 centimeters long, which makes it the longest human osseous canal of a nerve...
, the genicular ganglion is situated on the geniculum of the facial nerve
Facial nerve
The facial nerve is the seventh of twelve paired cranial nerves. It emerges from the brainstem between the pons and the medulla, and controls the muscles of facial expression, and functions in the conveyance of taste sensations from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue and oral cavity...
, the point where the nerve changes its direction.