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

Time Traveler

The first known use of canaliculus was in 1661

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Canaliculus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canaliculus. Accessed 23 Mar. 2023.

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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

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