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Glite Dictionary
ductule

ductule

9.7
A very small tube in the body that carries fluids like bile or tears
  • noun
  • /ˈdʌktjuːl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : ductulillo
  • Inflammation in the ductules can lead to complications such as the buildup of bile.
  • order of ductules

Examples

  • The surgeon carefully examined the ductules to ensure they were functioning properly.

  • In the developing fetus, the tiny ductules help transport essential fluids to various organs.

  • By 27 mm, second-order ductules appear.

    Academic text (2003)

  • By 32 mm (eighth week), third-order ductules are present, and the primordium has entered the parotid space.

    Academic text (2003)

Synonyms

duct
vsductule
  • Specialized
145 4.1

A tube that carries a liquid or gas from one place to another

applies to very small body passages that carry fluids specifically
channel
vsductule
  • Specialized
10 7.0

A small tube in the body that carries liquids like sweat or tears

focuses on tiny passages carrying fluids rather than lining details
tubule
vsductule
  • Specialized
2 7.7

A very small tube in living things that carries liquid

refers to very small body passages that carry fluids
ductus
vsductule
  • Specialized
1 8.3

A tube in the body that carries fluids like blood or bile

implies much smaller passages for fluids like bile or tears
ductulus
vsductule
  • Specialized
9.9

A tiny tube that carries fluid in the body

has identical meaning but exists as an alternate anatomical term

Compounds

biliary ductule
  • Specialized
7.5

A very small tube in the liver that carries bile to larger bile ducts

How Small

capillary
  • Specialized
11 4.8
ductule
  • Specialized
9.7
duct
  • Specialized
145 4.1
vessel
  • Specialized
141 4.0
tube
680 2.0

Surface Forms

ductule singular
ductules plural

Morphology

ductule = duct (semi-transparent) = duct + ule

The meaning 'small duct' follows a diminutive pattern, but the suffix '-ule' is relatively rare and may not be familiar to average learners.

Etymology

Ductule starts with duct, a word that means 'to lead' and appears in words like conduct, and ends with -ule, a small ending that means 'little'. So, a ductule is a 'little duct', a tiny tube that carries fluids such as bile or tears.