rhinencephalon

noun

rhin·​en·​ceph·​a·​lon ˌrī-(ˌ)nen-ˈse-fə-ˌlän How to pronounce rhinencephalon (audio) -lən How to pronounce rhinencephalon (audio)
: the chiefly olfactory part of the forebrain
rhinencephalic
ˌrī-ˌnen-sə-ˈfa-lik How to pronounce rhinencephalon (audio)
adjective

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rhinencephalon was in 1846

Rhymes for rhinencephalon

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Browse Nearby Words

rhinencephalic
rhinencephalon
Rhineodon
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Cite this Entry

“Rhinencephalon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rhinencephalon. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

rhinencephalon

noun
rhin·​en·​ceph·​a·​lon ˌrī-(ˌ)nen-ˈsef-ə-ˌlän How to pronounce rhinencephalon (audio) -lən How to pronounce rhinencephalon (audio)
plural rhinencephala -lə How to pronounce rhinencephalon (audio)
: the anterior inferior part of the forebrain that is chiefly concerned with olfaction and that is considered to include the olfactory bulb together with the forebrain olfactory structures receiving fibers directly from it and often especially formerly the limbic system which is now known to be concerned with emotional states and affect

called also smell brain

rhinencephalic
ˌrī-ˌnen-sə-ˈfal-ik How to pronounce rhinencephalon (audio)
adjective
Last Updated: - Definition revised
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