Etymology

substantia nigra

Today it means: A brain structure located in the mesencephalon (midbrain) that plays an important role in reward, addiction, and movement, damage to which occurs in Parkinson's and Parkinsonian patients. Full definition →

First used 19th c.
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The story

Scientific Latin, from substantia (“substance”) + nigra (“black”).

First known use, by meaning

  • from 19th c. A brain structure located in the mesencephalon (midbrain) that plays an important role in reward, addiction, and movement, damage to which occurs in Parkinson's and Parkinsonian patients.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.