Vesiculae

Vesiculae is the plural of vesicula, a Latin term used in anatomy and biology to denote small sac-like structures or compartments. The word vesicula means a small bladder or cavity, and the term is applied across disciplines to describe various sac-shaped formations.

In cell biology, vesiculae are membrane-bound vesicles that form by budding from donor membranes. They function in the transport, storage, and processing of materials within cells. Common varieties include endocytic vesicles, transport vesicles, secretory (exocytic) vesicles, lysosomal vesicles, and synaptic vesicles that carry neurotransmitters to nerve terminals.

In human anatomy, one well-known example is the vesicula seminalis (plural vesiculae seminales), the seminal vesicles. These are paired glands of the male reproductive system that contribute fluid to semen. Other anatomical structures may bear the name vesicula in their Latin forms, reflecting a small sac-like shape.

In clinical terminology, vesicle (the singular form) is frequently used to describe a small fluid-filled blister on the skin or mucous membranes, known as a vesicular lesion. The plural vesiculae appears mainly in traditional or Latinized nomenclature, while modern usage often adopts the English term vesicle or vesicular.

Overall, vesiculae denote small sac-like compartments across biology and medicine. The exact meaning depends on context, whether referring to cellular organelles, reproductive glands, or clinical descriptions of blistering lesions.