corniculus

Corniculus is a Latin term meaning "little horn." In scientific usage, it is employed as a descriptive label for small, horn‑like projections in various anatomical and biological contexts. The most widely cited usage in human anatomy is the corniculus laryngis, commonly referred to as the corniculate cartilage. This pair of small elastic cartilages projects from the apex of each arytenoid cartilage within the larynx and is part of the airway framework.

Beyond the larynx, corniculus appears in older or descriptive anatomical literature to denote other small horn‑like processes on bones or cartilages. The term is not a fixed anatomical structure with a single, universal identity; rather, it serves as a mnemonic descriptor whenever a horn‑shaped projection is present.

In botany, zoology, and other branches of biology, corniculus may appear in names or descriptions to signal horn‑like forms or appendages, reflecting the same Latin root. It is not commonly used as a formal taxonomic rank or standalone entity.

The word’s usage is mainly historical and descriptive, guiding naming conventions in diverse fields rather than indicating a single, uniform structure. See also cornus and corniculate.