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glomerulus

noun glo·mer·u·lus \ glə-ˈmer-(y)ə-ləs , glō- \
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Definition of glomerulus

plural glomeruli play \glə-ˈmer-(y)ə-ˌlī, -ˌlē, glō-\
: a small convoluted or intertwined mass; especially : a tuft of capillaries at the point of origin of each vertebrate nephron that passes a protein-free filtrate to the surrounding Bowman's capsule

Origin and Etymology of glomerulus

New Latin, glomerulus, glomerule, diminutive of Latin glomer-, glomus ball; akin to Latin globus globe

Medical Dictionary

glomerulus

noun glo·mer·u·lus \ glə-ˈmer-(y)ə-ləs, glō- \

medical Definition of glomerulus

plural glomeruli play \-ˌlī, -ˌlē\
: a small convoluted or intertwined mass (as of organisms, nerve fibers, or capillaries): as
a : a tuft of capillaries that is covered by epithelium, is situated at the point of origin of each vertebrate nephron, and normally passes a protein-free filtrate from the blood to the surrounding Bowman's capsule — see renal corpuscle
b : the convoluted secretory part of a sweat gland
c : a dense entanglement of nerve fibers situated in the olfactory bulb and containing the primary synapses of the olfactory pathway — called also olfactory glomerulus

Illustration of glomerulus

illustration of glomerulus

Learn More about glomerulus

  1. Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about glomerulus

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glomerulus

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