Excursus \ ik-SKUR-sus \ (noun) - 1 : A dissertation that is appended to a work and that contains a more extended exposition of some important point or topic. 2 : A digression.
"Sometimes, however, Mr. Honan's historical digressions wander far away from Jane Austen's concerns. An excursus on George III's insanity has precious little to do with 'Pride and Prejudice,' the subject nominally under discussion." -- Peter Conrad, 'Beside Her Joyce Seems Innocent as Grass'
Excursus comes from the past participle of Latin excurrere , "to run out," from ex- , "out" + currere , "to run."
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