microtubular

8.1

Having the shape of a very small tube in cells

adjective
/ˌmaɪkroʊˈtjuːbjələr/

Specialized

: microtubular

The researcher examined the microtubular structures within the cells under a high-powered microscope.

Examples

Birbeck granules are microtubular structures shaped like tennis rackets.

Academic text (2002)
Many cellular processes rely on microtubular elements to maintain their shape and integrity.
These microtubular formations are essential components of the cytoskeleton in eukaryotic cells.

Synonyms

tubular

vsmicrotubular

11 5.1

Shaped like a long hollow tube that lets air or liquid pass

specifies much smaller hollow cylinders often in biological contexts

capillary

vsmicrotubular

Specialized

5 6.8

Long and very thin with a very small inside width

relates to very small hollow cylinders often found in biological structures

tube-shaped

vsmicrotubular

1 3.0

A long round hollow shape that lets air or water pass

narrows that idea to very small hollow cylinders in biology contexts

cannular

vsmicrotubular

Specialized

9.9

Shaped like a tube used for carrying liquid

refers to very small hollow cylinders rather than larger fluid conduits

tubelike

vsmicrotubular

3.8

Having the shape of a hollow tube that lets water pass

focuses on very small hollow cylinder form rather than general shape

How Tubular

microtubular

Specialized

8.1

tubular

11 5.1

Surface Forms

microtubular positive

Morphology

microtubular = tubular (semi-transparent) = micro + tube + ular

The meaning is directly composed from micro- plus tubular, giving 'very small tube-shaped'.

Etymology

The word microtubular combines micro- meaning 'small', as in microscope, and tubular from the familiar word tube meaning 'a small pipe'. So microtubular describes something made of very small tubes, like the tiny tube parts inside cells that help keep their shape and move things around.