infundibular

Infundibular is an adjective meaning relating to or shaped like an infundibulum, a funnel-shaped cavity or passage. The term derives from the Latin infundibulum.

In anatomy, infundibular is most commonly used to describe features of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. The infundibulum, or pituitary stalk, is the funnel-like connection between the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, through which neuronal projections and the hypothalamic-pituitary portal system transport releasing and inhibiting hormones. The infundibular region can also refer to nearby structures such as the infundibular recess, a portion of the third ventricle that extends toward or near the pituitary stalk. More broadly, infundibular denotes any funnel-shaped structure within the body.

In botany and paleobotany, infundibular describes funnel-shaped floral or vegetative parts, such as infundibular corollas or infundibuliform shapes found in certain species.

In embryology and comparative anatomy, the term can apply to funnel-like projections or recesses formed during development, reflecting the general meaning of funnel-shaped. The word is primarily used in technical or academic contexts to convey a shape or relation to the infundibulum rather than in everyday language. See also infundibulum and pituitary stalk for related concepts.