ampulla Hear it!

ampulla Definition

am·pulla (am pul′ə, -po̵ol′-)

noun pl. -·pul′·lae--ē

  1. a nearly round bottle with two handles, used by the ancient Greeks and Romans
  2. Anat. a sac or dilated part of a tube or canal, as of a milk duct in a mammary gland

Etymology: ME ampulle < OE ampulla or OFr ampoule, both forms < L ampulla, dim. of ampora, for amphora, amphora

ampulla Related Forms
am·pul′·lar (--ər) adjective
ampulla Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • surround: The sphincter of Oddi surrounds the ampulla and prevents reflux of duodenal contents into the pancreatic duct.