villus

[vil-uh s] /ˈvɪl əs/
noun, plural villi
[vil-ahy] /ˈvɪl aɪ/ (Show IPA)
1.
Anatomy, Zoology. one of the minute, wormlike processes on certain membranes, especially on the mucous membrane of the small intestine, where they serve in absorbing nutriment.
2.
Botany. one of the long, soft, straight hairs covering the fruit, flowers, and other parts of certain plants.
Origin
1695-1705; < Latin: shaggy hair, thick nap
Examples from the web for villus
  • Suzy decided to undergo a common prenatal test called chorionic villus sampling.
  • Diagnosis is made in the first trimester by chorionic villus sampling.
British Dictionary definitions for villus

villus

/ˈvɪləs/
noun (usually pl) (pl) villi (ˈvɪlaɪ)
1.
(zoology, anatomy) any of the numerous finger-like projections of the mucous membrane lining the small intestine of many vertebrates
2.
any similar membranous process, such as any of those in the mammalian placenta
3.
(botany) any of various hairlike outgrowths, as from the stem of a moss
Word Origin
C18: from Latin: shaggy hair
Word Origin and History for villus
n.

1704, plural villi, from Latin villus "tuft of hair, shaggy hair" (see velvet).

villus in Medicine

villus vil·lus (vĭl'əs)
n. pl. vil·li (vĭl'ī)

  1. A minute projection arising from a mucous membrane, especially one of the vascular projections of the small intestine.

  2. Such a projection of the chorion that contributes to placental formation in mammals.

villus in Science
villus
  (vĭl'əs)   
Plural villi (vĭl'ī)
A small projection on the surface of a mucous membrane, such as that of the small intestine.
Encyclopedia Article for villus

villi

in anatomy any of the small, slender, vascular projections that increase the surface area of a membrane. Important villous membranes include the placenta and the mucous-membrane coating of the small intestine. The villi of the small intestine project into the intestinal cavity, greatly increasing the surface area for food absorption and adding digestive secretions. The villi number about 6,000 to 25,000 per square inch (10 to 40 per square millimetre) of tissue. They are most prevalent at the beginning of the small intestine and diminish in number toward the end of the tract.

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