microvillus

[ mahy-kroh-vil-uh s ]
/ ˌmaɪ kroʊˈvɪl əs /

noun, plural mi·cro·vil·li [mahy-kroh-vil-ahy] /ˌmaɪ kroʊˈvɪl aɪ/. Cell Biology.

any of the small, fingerlike projections of the surface of an epithelial cell.

Origin of microvillus

First recorded in 1950–55; micro- + villus

OTHER WORDS FROM microvillus

mi·cro·vil·lar, mi·cro·vil·lous, adjective

Words nearby microvillus

microtone, microtopography, microtremor, microtubule, microvasculature, microvillus, microvolt, microwatt, microwave, microwave background, microwave communication

British Dictionary definitions for microvilli

microvillus
/ (ˌmaɪkrəʊˈvɪləs) /

noun plural -li (-laɪ)

physiol a thin protuberance present in great abundance at the surface of some epithelial cells, notably in the gut, thus increasing the surface area available for absorption

Medical definitions for microvilli

microvillus
[ mī′krō-vĭl′əs ]

n. pl. mi•cro•vil•li (-vĭl′ī′)

Any of the minute hairlike structures projecting from the surface of certain types of epithelial cells, especially those of the small intestine.