Chiastoneury

/ˌkaɪ.æs.təˈnʊr.i/ noun

Definition

The condition or arrangement of nerve fibers crossing over or intersecting with each other, especially in the brain or spinal cord.

Etymology

From Greek 'chiasma' (cross) combined with 'neuro-' (nerve) and '-y' (noun suffix). This term describes the structural phenomenon of neural crossings in the nervous system.

Kelly Says

Chiastoneury is why people can recover from some brain injuries through neuroplasticity—since signals are crossing back and forth, undamaged neural pathways can sometimes learn to do the job of damaged ones by rewiring their connections!

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