hia
tus
Plural
hiatuses
1
(biology) a gap, opening, or passage in anatomical structures, often between different parts or organs
- The hiatus in the diaphragm allows the esophagus to pass through into the abdominal cavity.
- The hiatus between two vertebrae provides space for the spinal cord to travel.
- The hiatus semilunaris is a small opening in the lateral wall of the nasal cavity.
- The vocal cords pass through the thyrohyoid membrane hiatus in the larynx.
- In birds, the lunate bone has a hiatus for the passage of the flexor tendons.
Synonyms:
2
a missing piece (as a gap in a manuscript)
3
an interruption in the intensity or amount of something
Synonyms: