follicle
pronunciation
How to pronounce follicle in British English:
UK [ˈfɒlɪkl]
How to pronounce follicle in American English:
US [ˈfɑlɪkl]
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- Noun:
- any small spherical group of cells containing a cavity
Word Origin
- follicle (n.)
- early 15c., in anatomy, "small sack," from Latin folliculus "a little bag," diminutive of follis "bellows, inflated ball, money-bag," from PIE *bhol-n-, suffixed form of root *bhel- (2) "to blow, swell" (see bole). Related: Follicular.
Example
- 1. As the immature egg grew inside the follicle , it produced hormones just as it would inside a woman 's body .
- 2. A strong association to pre-term births was found in variants of the fshr - or follicle stimulating hormone receptor - gene .
- 3. Conservative treatment involves plucking the offending eyelashes and administering lubricant drops , but many patients will require surgery to either destroy or reposition the lash and follicle .
- 4. Follicle stimulating hormone acts on receptors in the ovaries to encourage follicle ( a sphere of cells containing an egg ) development and production of the hormone oestrogen .
- 5. This was the first time anyone had successfully grown a woman 's immature egg cells , contained in a tiny sac called a follicle , to a healthy and nearly mature egg in the laboratory .