centriole

centriole /cen·tri·ole/ (sen´tre-ōl) either of the two cylindrical organelles located in the centrosome and containing nine triplets of microtubules arrayed around their edges; centrioles migrate to opposite poles of the cell during cell division and serve to organize the spindles. They are capable of independent replication and of migrating to form basal bodies.

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cen·tri·ole (sntr-l)

n.

One of two cylindrical cellular structures composed of nine triplet microtubules and forming the mitotic astrospheres.

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centriole

[sen′trē·ōl′]

Etymology: Gk, kentron

an intracellular organelle, usually a component of the centrosome. Often occurring in pairs, centrioles are associated with cell division and can be closely studied only with an electron microscope. They are tiny cylinders positioned at right angles to each other, with walls consisting of nine bundles of fine tubules, three tubules to a bundle. Numerous centrioles occur in some large cells, such as the giant cells in bone marrow. The precise function of centrioles is still a mystery, but they appear to aid in the formation of the spindle that develops during mitosis.

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centriole [sen´tre-ōl]

either of the two cylindrical organelles located in the centrosome and containing nine triplets of microtubules arrayed around their edges; centrioles migrate to opposite poles of the cell during cell division and serve to organize the spindles. They are capable of independent replication and of migrating to form basal bodies.

ring centriole a common misnomer for the anulus of the spermatozoon, which is not actually a centriole.

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centriole

either of the two cylindrical organelles located in the centrosome and containing nine triplets of microtubules arrayed around their edges; centrioles migrate to opposite poles of the cell during cell division and serve to organize the spindles. They are capable of independent replication and of migrating to form basal bodies.