follicle

[fol-i-kuhl]

noun

1. Anatomy.

   1. a small cavity, sac, or gland.

   2. one of the small ovarian sacs containing an immature ovum; Graafian follicle.

2. Botany.,  a dry seed vessel, or pod, consisting of a single carpel, splitting at maturity only along the front part of the suture.

follicle

/ fɒˈlɪkjʊˌleɪt, ˈfɒlɪkəl, fɒˈlɪkjʊlə /

noun

1. any small sac or cavity in the body having an excretory, secretory, or protective function

   a hair follicle

2. botany a dry fruit, formed from a single carpel, that splits along one side only to release its seeds: occurs in larkspur and columbine

follicle

1. A small, protective sac, gland, or cluster of cells in the body. In mammals, unfertilized eggs develop in follicles located in the ovaries. Hair grows from follicles in the skin.

2. A dry, dehiscent fruit that develops from a single carpel, has a single chamber, and splits open along only one seam to release its seeds. The pod of the milkweed and the fruit of the magnolia are follicles.

Other Word Forms

• follicular adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of follicle¹

First recorded in 1640–50, follicle is from the Latin word folliculus small bag, shell, pod. See follis, -cle ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of follicle¹

C17: from Latin folliculus small bag, from follis pair of bellows, leather money-bag

Example Sentences

The challenge for doctors and patients is that women produce fewer egg follicles with viable eggs as they age.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The skin contains two main types of adult stem cells: epidermal stem cells and hair follicle stem cells.

Read more on Science Daily

One condition is known as alopecia areata which is an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system attacks the hair follicles - causing the hair to fall out.

Read more on BBC

In mammals, these stem cells are found in a region of the hair follicle known as the bulge-sub-bulge area.

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One ongoing project is testing whether cysteine can promote hair follicle regrowth.

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Related Words

• hair 
• lode 
• nerve 
• seam 
• stripe