Follicle: meaning, definitions and examples
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follicle
[ ˈfɒlɪkəl ]
biological structure
A follicle is a small sac-like structure in various tissues of the body, often involved in the development of hair, eggs, or other anatomical features. In human biology, there are two main types of follicles: hair follicles, which are responsible for hair growth, and ovarian follicles, which contain and mature the eggs. Follicles play a crucial role in the reproductive system and are essential for the processes of growth and development in both animals and plants.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The doctor examined the hair follicle for signs of infection.
- Ovarian follicles develop during the menstrual cycle.
- The skin's structure includes numerous hair follicles.
Translations
Translations of the word "follicle" in other languages:
🇵🇹 folículo
🇮🇳 फोलिकल
🇩🇪 Follikel
🇮🇩 folikel
🇺🇦 фолікул
🇵🇱 pęcherzyk
🇯🇵 卵胞 (らんほう)
🇫🇷 follicule
🇪🇸 folículo
🇹🇷 folikül
🇰🇷 모낭 (monang)
🇸🇦 بصيلات (baṣīlat)
🇨🇿 folikul
🇸🇰 folikul
🇨🇳 卵泡 (luǎnpāo)
🇸🇮 folikel
🇮🇸 folikill
🇰🇿 фолликул
🇬🇪 ფოლიკული (p'olik'uli)
🇦🇿 folikül
🇲🇽 folículo
Etymology
The word 'follicle' originates from the Latin word 'folliculus', which is a diminutive form of 'follicus', meaning 'a small bag or pouch'. This term has been used in various fields of biology to describe small sac-like structures that serve specific functions within organisms. Over time, the term has become widely adopted in anatomy and reproductive biology to denote structures like hair and ovarian follicles. The modern usage reflects both the structure and function of these biological components. As science advanced, particularly in the 19th and 20th centuries, the understanding of follicular biology grew, leading to significant research in areas such as dermatology and reproductive health.