kanalikulære

Kanalikulære is a descriptive term used in anatomy and histology to denote structures related to canaliculi, the small channels that connect spaces within tissues or between cells. The term derives from Latin canaliculus, meaning a small channel or duct. In practice, kanalikulære describes features such as canaliculi observed in liver tissue, bone, and the tear drainage system.

In the liver, bile canaliculi are narrow ducts formed by the apical membranes of adjacent hepatocytes. They are bounded by tight junctions and are lined by microvilli that increase the surface area for bile secretion. Bile flows from canaliculi into canals of Hering and then into intrahepatic bile ducts. Proper canalicular transport is essential for bile formation and excretion; impairment can contribute to cholestasis and related liver disorders.

Other canalicular systems include the lacrimal canaliculi, which are small channels at the medial eyelid where tears drain from the lacrimal puncta into the lacrimal sac. In bone, canaliculi are tiny channels that connect lacunae containing osteocytes, enabling the exchange of nutrients, waste, and signaling molecules through gap junctions.

Overall, kanalikulære describes microscopic channels that facilitate fluid movement and intercellular communication in various organs. The concept emphasizes how narrow conduits formed by cellular membranes and cell–cell junctions contribute to the function and homeostasis of tissues.