diastema
English
Etymology
From Late Latin, from Ancient Greek διάστημα (diástēma, “interval, space between”). Compare diastasis.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /daɪəˈstiːmə/
Noun
diastema (plural diastemas or diastemata)
- (pathology) A gap or space between two adjacent teeth, especially the upper front incisors (in humans).
- 1968, Anthony Burgess, Enderby Outside:
- A gormless-looking boy, thin and exhibiting diastemata in the shop-front lights, offered him English newspapers.
- 1968, Anthony Burgess, Enderby Outside:
- (pathology) any abnormal space, fissure, or cleft in an organ or part of the body.
- (cytology) the modified protoplasm at the equator of a cell, existing before mitotic division.
Usage notes
In other species, a diastema refers to a gap between teeth of different types, e.g. incisors and molars, which is a feature of some rodents and ungulates.
Derived terms
Further reading
Diastema (dentistry) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
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