Vallecula (Noun)
Meaning
(anatomy) any furrow or channel on a bodily structure or part.
Classification
Nouns denoting body parts.
Examples
- The medially located vallecula formed a distinct trough on the surface of the liver, which helped to guide the surgeon's incision.
- The prominent valleculae on the surface of the cerebral cortex were carefully measured to study the development of brain fissures.
- During the dissection, the student carefully teased apart the tissue surrounding the vallecula to expose the underlying nerve bundle.
- The radiologist scrutinized the MRI scan to identify the vallecula on the surface of the spleen that correlated with the patient's complaint.
- The vallecula on the surface of the tongue formed a narrow groove that helped to channel food particles toward the back of the oral cavity.