vallecula

noun

val·​lec·​u·​la va-ˈle-kyə-lə 

və-

plural valleculae va-ˈle-kyə-ˌlē 

və-, 

-ˌlī

: an anatomical groove, channel, or depression

especially : one between the base of the tongue and the epiglottis

vallecular

va-ˈle-kyə-lər 

və-

adjective

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin vallēcula, going back to Latin, "small valley," from vallēs, vallis "valley" (of uncertain origin) + -cula, diminutive suffix

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

vallecula

noun

val·​lec·​u·​la va-ˈlek-yə-lə 

plural valleculae -ˌlē 

: an anatomical groove, channel, or depression: as

a

: a groove between the base of the tongue and the epiglottis

b

: a fossa on the underside of the cerebellum separating the hemispheres and including the inferior vermis

vallecular

-yə-lər 

adjective