glomerulus

noun glo·mer·u·lus \glə-ˈmer-(y)ə-ləs, glō-\

plural glo·mer·u·li\-ˌlī, -ˌlē\

Definition of GLOMERULUS

: a small convoluted or intertwined mass; especially : a tuft of capillaries at the point of origin of each vertebrate nephron that passes a protein-free filtrate to the surrounding Bowman's capsule

Origin of GLOMERULUS

New Latin, glomerulus, glomerule, diminutive of Latin glomer-, glomus ball; akin to Latin globus globe

First Known Use: 1856

Medical Dictionary

glomerulus

noun glo·mer·u·lus \glə-ˈmer-(y)ə-ləs, glō-\

plural glo·mer·u·li \-ˌlī, -ˌlē\

Medical Definition of GLOMERULUS

: a small convoluted or intertwined mass (as of organisms, nerve fibers, or capillaries): as a : a tuft of capillaries that is covered by epithelium, is situated at the point of origin of each vertebrate nephron, and normally passes a protein-free filtrate from the blood to the surrounding Bowman's capsule—see renal corpuscle b : the convoluted secretory part of a sweat gland c : a dense entanglement of nerve fibers situated in the olfactory bulb and containing the primary synapses of the olfactory pathway