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Glite Dictionary
canalicular

canalicular

9.9
Like a very small channel or tube in the body that carries fluid
  • adjective
  • /ˌkænəˈlɪkjələr/
  • Specialized
: canalicular
  • Between 16 and 20 weeks, the facial nerve, arterioles, venules, and the stapedius muscle lie in a sulcus on the canalicular wall.

Examples

  • In histology, researchers often focus on the canalicular system of the liver to study its function.

  • The surgeon carefully examined the canalicular structures during the operation to ensure everything was functioning properly.

  • The canalicular pathways in the ear help transfer sound vibrations to the inner structures.

Synonyms

canaliculate
vscanalicular
  • Specialized
9.9

Having narrow, parallel grooves like those on a shell

refers to small internal ducts or structures related to them in anatomy

Surface Forms

canalicular positive

Morphology

canalicular = canal (opaque) = canal + icular

The word is formally related to 'canal', but the specialized anatomical meaning is not fully predictable for an average learner from the base alone.

Etymology

Canalicular comes from the same root as canal, which means 'channel' or waterway, and originally meant 'little channel'. So, canalicular means 'relating to or like a tiny channel', which explains its use for small tubes in the body, like in the liver or bone.