canaliculus

noun

can·​a·​lic·​u·​lus ˌka-nə-ˈli-kyə-ləs How to pronounce canaliculus (audio)
plural canaliculi ˌka-nə-ˈli-kyə-ˌlī How to pronounce canaliculus (audio)
-ˌlē
: a minute canal in a bodily structure
canalicular
ˌka-nə-ˈli-kyə-lər How to pronounce canaliculus (audio)
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

“Canaliculus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canaliculus. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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Medical Definition

canaliculus

noun
can·​a·​lic·​u·​lus -yə-ləs How to pronounce canaliculus (audio)
plural canaliculi -ˌlī, -ˌlē How to pronounce canaliculus (audio)
: 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
canalicular
ˌkan-ᵊl-ˈik-yə-lər How to pronounce canaliculus (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on canaliculus

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about canaliculus

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