Peduncles

Peduncle, plural peduncles, is a term used in biology to denote a stalk-like structure that connects or supports a larger organ or body part. The word comes from Latin pedunculus, meaning “little foot.” The term is applied across disciplines to describe a connecting stalk that conveys fibers, vessels, or growths between structures.

In botany, a peduncle is the stalk bearing a flower or an inflorescence. The main stalk of an inflorescence is called the peduncle, while the stalk of an individual flower is a pedicel. Peduncles can vary in length and orientation, influencing the presentation and pollination of the flowers. Understanding the peduncle and pedicel helps in describing plant architecture and reproductive structures.

In anatomy and neuroscience, peduncle refers to a narrow connecting stalk linking a structure to the rest of the body or brain. The cerebellar peduncles (superior, middle, and inferior) connect the cerebellum to the brainstem and carry afferent and efferent fibers involved in motor coordination. The cerebral peduncles (crus cerebri) lie on the ventral midbrain and contain descending motor pathways from the cerebral cortex to the brainstem and spinal cord. The term highlights the role of these structures as conduits that facilitate communication and integration between regions.

Other uses describe peduncles as connecting stalks in various organs, reflecting the general concept of a supportive or conductive stalk linking a component to its source. See also pedicel, inflorescence, and stalk.