venule

[ ven-yool ]

noun

1. a small vein.
2. one of the branches of a vein in the wing of an insect.

venule

/ ˈvɛnjuːl; ˈvɛnjʊlə /

noun

1. anatomy any of the small branches of a vein that receives oxygen-depleted blood from the capillaries and returns it to the heart via the venous system
2. any of the branches of a vein in an insect's wing

Derived Forms

• venular, adjective

Other Words From

• venu·lar adjective
• inter·venu·lar adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of venule¹

First recorded in 1840–50, venule is from the Latin word vēnula little vein. See vein, -ule

Word History and Origins

Origin of venule¹

C19: from Latin vēnula diminutive of vēna vein

Example Sentences

For instance, there is evidence that, in people with schizophrenia, the small veins, or venules, of the retina are wider and the retina is thinner4.

From Nature

Raynaud’s affects parts of the body that have a characteristic circulatory pattern: a high density of direct connections between arterioles — small vessels that branch out from arteries — and venules, or small veins.

From New York Times

The vein in this region gives off directly from its wall a complete herbage of little venules, which branch and anastomose with one another, and are clothed by the glandular epithelium of the renal sac.

From Project Gutenberg

Brachial veins: of primaries in Hymenoptera, originate at base, run parallel to inner edge toward anal angle; often connected with the cubital cellules by means of recurrent venules.

From Project Gutenberg

Nævus.—A nævus is a collection of dilated capillaries, the afferent arterioles and the efferent venules of which often share in the dilatation.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• artery
• capillary
• vein