nevengeulen

Nevengeulen is a Dutch term used in several scientific contexts to denote secondary grooves or furrows that run alongside a primary feature on a surface. The word combines neven-, meaning side or secondary, with geul, meaning groove or furrow. In usage, nevengeulen describe subtle, often parallel indentations that can be observed on organic or geological textures.

In botany and plant morphology, nevengeulen refer to secondary grooves on leaves, seeds, or fruit surfaces that run roughly parallel to the main structural veins or contours. These features can affect surface texture and may assist in species identification or in studying the development of leaf venation patterns.

In zoology and malacology, certain shells or exoskeletal surfaces display nevengeulen as faint, side grooves. They may contribute to the visual patterning or structural reinforcement of the specimen, though their exact function often varies among taxa.

In geology and geomorphology, nevengeulen describe smaller channels or grooves formed by weathering, water flow, or the growth of fractures. They commonly occur alongside a larger fracture or primary channel and can provide information about the history of erosion and fluid movement in the rock.

Measurement and description of nevengeulen focus on orientation (whether parallel or intersecting with the primary feature), depth, width, and spacing. The term is not universally standardized, and its precise meaning can vary by discipline, sometimes overlapping with terms like secondary furrow or lateral groove.

See also: furrow, groove, sulcus, vein (in botany).