microvillus

[ mahy-kroh-vil-uhs ]

noun

, Cell Biology.

, plural mi·cro·vil·li [mahy-kroh-, vil, -ahy].

1. any of the small, fingerlike projections of the surface of an epithelial cell.

microvillus

/ ˌmaɪkrəʊˈvɪləs /

noun

1. physiol a thin protuberance present in great abundance at the surface of some epithelial cells, notably in the gut, thus increasing the surface area available for absorption

Other Words From

• micro·villar micro·villous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of microvillus¹

First recorded in 1950–55; micro- + villus

Example Sentences

A microvillus is a little finger-like cell membrane projection.

From Scientific American

Five days later, however, they could see “baby cells” budding, some of them with the distinctive hair, or microvillus, on top.

From Scientific American