columellar

1 9.9

Relating to the central column that supports an organ, shell, or plant part

adjective
/ˌkɒl.jəˈmɛl.ər/

Specialized

: columelar

She continued to abuse cocaine, and it soon became apparent that the entire cartilaginous and bony nasal septum was destroyed, sparing only a 1 cm columellar strut.

Examples

The columellar structure of the ancient coral reef provided stability for the entire ecosystem.
In the third step, the columellar strut was placed and secured with sutures between the medial crura.

Academic text (2009)
In botany, the columellar axis acts as the central support for various blooming flowers.
The scientist studied the columellar features of the shell to understand its growth patterns.

Surface Forms

columellar positive

Morphology

columellar = columella (semi-transparent) = columella + ar

Formation by adding the adjectival suffix '-ar' to 'columella' is regular, but both forms are technical and unfamiliar to average learners.

Etymology

Columellar comes from columella, a Latin word that means 'little column', and is related to the familiar English word column. Think of a tiny column or support inside a shell, nose, or plant, and you will see why columellar describes the central supporting column of an organ.