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.
vil·lus
, pl. vil·li
(vil'ŭs, vil'ī), Do not confuse this word with the adjective villous.1. A projection from the surface, especially of a mucous membrane. If the projection is minute, as from a cell surface, it is termed a microvillus.
2. An elongated dermal papilla projecting into an intraepidermal vesicle or cleft.
[L. shaggy hair (of beasts)]
Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
villus
(vĭl′əs)n. pl. villi (vĭl′ī) 1. Biology A minute projection arising from a mucous membrane, especially:
a. One of the numerous vascular projections of the small intestine.
b. One of the fingerlike projections of the chorion that contribute to the formation of the placenta in mammals.
2. Botany A fine, hairlike epidermal outgrowth.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
vil·lus
, pl. villi (vil'ŭs, -ī) 1. A projection from the surface, especially of a mucous membrane. If the projection is minute, as from a cell surface, it is termed a microvillus.
2. An elongated dermal papilla projecting into an intraepidermal vesicle or cleft.
See also:
festooning [L. shaggy hair (of beasts)]
Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012
villus
(pl. villi) a finger-like outgrowth, as in the lining of the SMALL INTESTINE. Villi effectively increase the surface area of the gut wall and contain - (a) blood vessels for absorption of carbohydrates and amino acids which pass into the hepatic portal SYSTEM
- (b) lacteals which absorb fats into the LYMPHATIC SYSTEM.
Collins Dictionary of Biology, 3rd ed. © W. G. Hale, V. A. Saunders, J. P. Margham 2005
vil·lus
, pl. villi (vil'ŭs, -ī) Do not confuse this word with the adjective villous.1. Projection surface, especially from a mucous membrane.
2. An elongated dermal papilla projecting into an intraepidermal vesicle or cleft.
Medical Dictionary for the Dental Professions © Farlex 2012