infundibulum

American  

[in-fuhn-dib-yuh-luhm] / ˌɪn fʌnˈdɪb yə ləm /

noun

Anatomy.

plural

infundibula

1. a funnel-shaped organ or part.

2. a funnel-shaped extension of the hypothalamus connecting the pituitary gland to the base of the brain.

3. a space in the right ventricle at the base of the pulmonary artery.

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infundibulum British  

/ ˌɪnfʌnˈdɪbjʊləm /

noun

1. anatomy any funnel-shaped part, esp the stalk connecting the pituitary gland to the base of the brain

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Other Word Forms

• infundibular adjective
• infundibulate adjective

Etymology

Origin of infundibulum

1700–10; < New Latin, Latin: funnel, equivalent to infundi- (stem of infundere to pour into; in- ², found ³ ) + -bulum instrumental suffix; infuse

Example Sentences

The hypothalamus and the pituitary gland are connected by a structure called the infundibulum, which contains vasculature and nerve axons.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The anterior lobe is connected to the hypothalamus by vasculature in the infundibulum and produces and secretes six hormones.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The ovulated oocyte with its surrounding granulosa cells is picked up by the infundibulum of the uterine tube, and beating cilia help to transport it through the tube toward the uterus.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

It connects to the pituitary gland by the stalk-like infundibulum.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

His investigation showed that the funnel-shaped passage known as the infundibulum extends from the frontal sinus directly into the antrum or maxillary sinus.

From Resonance in Singing and Speaking by Fillebrown, Thomas