vitellus

[vi-tel-uhs, vahy-]

noun

plural

vitelluses 

1. the yolk of an egg.

vitellus

/ vɪˈtɛləs /

noun

1. rare,  zoology the yolk of an egg

Word History and Origins

Origin of vitellus¹

Borrowed into English from Latin around 1720–30

Word History and Origins

Origin of vitellus¹

C18: from Latin, literally: little calf, later: yolk of an egg, from vitulus calf

Example Sentences

Within the shell the animal portion of the egg is found; which consists of a viscous, colorless liquid called albumen, or the white, and a yellow globular mass called the vitellus, or yolk.

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Now, the human ovum or egg consists of a vitellus or yolk, which is covered by a similar membrane, known as the vitelline.

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As a consequence of this superficial concentration we get segmentation of the vitellus, with the production of a morula.

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The literal references to the foregoing are: am, amnion; al, allantois; v, vitellus; h, encephalon; i, eye; c, heart; f, liver; g, gizzard; ms, upper, and mi, lower member.

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Up to this point the vitellus of the egg, nourished by endosmosis through its membranes, had sufficed for the nutrition of the still very small embryo.

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