vallecula

[ vuh-lek-yuh-luh ]

noun

, Biology.

, plural val·lec·u·lae [v, uh, -, lek, -y, uh, -lee].

1. a furrow or depression.

vallecula

/ vəˈlɛkjʊlə /

noun

1. anatomy any of various natural depressions or crevices, such as certain fissures of the brain
2. botany a small groove or furrow in a plant stem or fruit

Derived Forms

• valˈlecular, adjective

Other Words From

• val·lecu·lar adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vallecula¹

1855–60; < Late Latin, equivalent to valle ( s ) valley + Latin -cula -cule ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of vallecula¹

C19: from Late Latin: little valley, from Latin vallis valley

Example Sentences

Vallecula, va-lek′ū-la, n. a groove or furrow.—adjs.

From Project Gutenberg

Each of these surfaces is again subdivided by fissures into smaller lobes, of which the most important are the amygdala or tonsil, which forms the lateral boundary of the anterior part of the vallecula, and the flocculus, which is situated immediately behind the middle peduncle of the cerebellum.

From Project Gutenberg

On the superior or tentorial surface of the cerebellum the median or vermiform lobe is a mere elevation, but on its inferior or occipital surface this lobe forms a well-defined process, which lies at the bottom of a deep fossa or vallecula; this fossa is prolonged to the posterior border of the cerebellum, and forms there a deep notch which separates the two hemispheres from each other; in this notch the falx cerebelli is lodged.

From Project Gutenberg

In front of the epiglottis are the median and lateral glosso-epiglottic folds passing forwards to the base of the tongue, and enclosing the two valleculæ.

From Project Gutenberg