Podocyte
/ˈpoʊ.də.saɪt/noun
A specialized cell in the kidney that wraps around capillaries in the glomerulus and helps filter blood.
Did you know?The name was coined in modern scientific Greek from podo- “foot” + -cyte “cell,” because these kidney cells grow foot-like extensions called pedicels that clasp the filter surface.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Gk
πούς (pous), ποδός (podos)
“foot”
Ancient Greek
Gk
κύτος (kytos)
“hollow vessel; cell”
19th Century
New Latin
podocyte
“a foot-like cell, especially in the kidney”
Modern English
English
podocyte
“a specialized kidney cell with foot-like processes”