canaliculus

noun

can·​a·​lic·​u·​lus ˌka-nə-ˈli-kyə-ləs 

plural canaliculi ˌka-nə-ˈli-kyə-ˌlī 

-ˌlē

: a minute canal in a bodily structure

canalicular

ˌka-nə-ˈli-kyə-lər 

adjective

Word History

Etymology

Latin, diminutive of canalis

First Known Use

1661, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

canaliculus

noun

can·​a·​lic·​u·​lus -yə-ləs 

plural canaliculi -ˌlī, -ˌlē 

: a minute canal in a bodily structure: as

a

: one of the hairlike channels ramifying a Haversian system in bone and linking the lacunae with one another and with the Haversian canal

b

: one of the narrow spaces between cells in the anastomosing cords of cells that make up a liver lobule