periaqueductal gray

noun

The region surrounding the cerebral aqueduct in the midbrain, playing an important role in analgesia.

Similar
central grayPAG
First used 20th c.
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Meanings

nounperiaqueductal gray (plural not attested)

alternative periaqueductal grey

  1. no pluralanatomyThe region surrounding the cerebral aqueduct in the midbrain, playing an important role in analgesia.First known use 20th c.

    The periaqueductal gray contains circuits that control the sensorimotor components of rage.

    2011, Steven Pinker, The Better Angels of Our Nature, Penguin, published 2012, page 601

    Synonyms: central gray, PAG

Synonyms & antonyms

nounThe region surrounding the cerebral aqueduct in the midbrain, playing an important role in analgesia.

Similar
central grayPAG

Origin

Shortening of periaqueductal gray matter.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

periaqueductal gray. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/periaqueductal%20gray

MLA

“periaqueductal gray.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/periaqueductal%20gray. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “periaqueductal gray,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/periaqueductal%20gray.

Source: periaqueductal gray on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.