[PW] Re: Innominate bone, vein and artery

[Dan Clinton]

You wouldn't be thinking of this?

The substantia innominata of Meynert is a stratum consisting partly of gray and partly of white substance, which lies below the anterior part of the thalamus and lentiform nucleus.
--"substantia innominata" sub vid. Wikipedia

several hits but no etymology found.

Dan Clinton / Census Library / Suitland, MD

>From: Peter Macinnis <petermacinnis at ozemail.com.au>
>Date: 2006/07/19 Wed AM 06:32:32 CDT
>To: list at project-wombat.org
>Subject: [PW]  Innominate bone, vein and artery

>I am looking for a confirmed source for a vaguely recalled anecdote. 
>The body contains several bits called "innominate", or unnamed.  The 
>anecdote that one of my precarious neurons claims to be true is that 
>previous anatomists had not described the bit in question, because they 
>were working with non-human species, so that when they came to dissect 
>humans, lo and behold, there was a bit there with no name.  Hence, it 
>was given a name that meant "no name".
>
>I am aware of the legal meaning of "innominate".  I have searched the 
>OED, Snopes, and tried assorted clever combinations, but with no success.
>
>I suspect it may be one of those dodgy folk etymologies, but I can't get 
>any indication either way.  Any pointers, or even pointers to variants 
>of the yarn would be appreciated -- my searches are getting me nowhere 
>but cranky.
>
>peter
>
>
>-- 
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