Vallecula
/vəˈlɛkjʊlə/noun
A small groove, depression, or valley-shaped anatomical structure.
Did you know?In the vallecula epiglottica, saliva can collect in the groove between the tongue and epiglottis; the name is not mystical, but a literal anatomical metaphor from Latin.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Latin
Latin
vallis
“A valley or low-lying hollow between elevations.”
Classical Latin
Latin
vallecula
“A little valley; the diminutive form of vallis, formed with -cula.”
Late Latin
Latin
vallecula
“A small depression or valley-like hollow, including metaphorical anatomical usage.”
Renaissance
Medical Latin
vallecula
“A small groove or depression used in anatomical description.”
17th Century
English
vallecula
“An anatomical term for a small valley-shaped groove or depression.”
Modern English
English
vallecula
“A small anatomical groove, especially the groove behind the tongue near the epiglottis.”