villus
[vil´us] (L.) a small vascular process or protrusion, as from the free surface of a membrane.
arachnoid villi microscopic projections of the arachnoid into some of the venous sinuses.
intestinal villi multitudinous threadlike projections covering the surface of the mucous membrane lining the small
intestine, serving as the sites of absorption of fluids and nutrients.
synovial villi slender projections from the surface of the synovial membrane into the cavity of a joint; called also haversian glands.
Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.