microvillus

[ mahy-kroh-vil-uhs ]

noun

, Cell Biology.

, plural mi·cro·vil·li [mahy-kroh-, vil, -ahy].

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

microvillus

/ ˌmaɪkrəʊˈvɪləs /

noun

1. 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

Other Words From

• micro·villar micro·villous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of microvillus¹

First recorded in 1950–55; micro- + villus