follicle

views updated May 23 2018

fol·li·cle / ˈfälikəl/ • n. 1. Anat. a small secretory cavity, sac, or gland, in particular: ∎  (also hair follicle) the sheath of cells and connective tissue that surrounds the root of a hair. ∎ short for Graafian follicle.2. Bot. a dry fruit that is derived from a single carpel and opens on one side only to release its seeds.DERIVATIVES: fol·lic·u·lar / fəˈlikyələr/ adj.fol·lic·u·late / fəˈlikyələt; -ˌlāt/ adj.fol·lic·u·lat·ed / fəˈlikyəˌlātid/ adj.ORIGIN: late Middle English: from Latin folliculus ‘little bag,’ diminutive of follis ‘bellows.’

follicle

views updated May 21 2018

follicle
1. (in animal anatomy) Any enclosing cluster of cells that protects and nourishes a cell or structure within. For example, follicles in the ovary contain developing egg cells, while hair follicles envelop the roots of hairs.

2. (in botany) A dry fruit that, when ripe, splits along one side to release its seeds. It is formed from a single carpel containing one or more seeds. Follicles do not occur singly but are grouped to form clusters (etaerios). Examples include larkspur, columbine, and monk's hood.

follicle

views updated May 29 2018

follicle (fol-ikŭl) n. a small secretory cavity, sac, or gland. See also Graafian follicle, hair (follicle).
follicular (fŏ-lik-yoo-ler) adj.

follicle

views updated May 23 2018

follicle A dry fruit derived from a single carpel which dehisces along one side only.

follicle

views updated May 21 2018

follicle (anat., etc.) small sac. XVII. — L. folliculus little bag, dim. of follis bellows; see -CLE.

follicle

views updated May 18 2018

follicle A small sac, cavity, or gland. See also GRAAFIAN FOLLICLE.