Medical Dictionary
tail
noun, often attrib \ˈtā(ə)l\
Medical Definition of TAIL
1
: the rear end or a process or prolongation of the rear end of the body of an animal
2
: one end of a molecule regarded as opposite to the head; especially : the end of a lipid molecule that consists of a nonpolar hydrocarbon chain and is opposite to the polar group <most surface-active agents have a long hydrophobic tail attached to a polar head—R. E. Kirk & D. F. Othmer>
3
: any of various parts of bodily structures that are terminal: as a : the distal tendon of a muscle b : the slender left end of the human pancreas c : the common convoluted tube that forms the lower part of the epididymis
4
: the motile part of a sperm that extends from the middle piece to the end and comprises the flagellum
5
: a thin protein tube which forms part of the coat of some bacteriophages and through which DNA is injected into a cell
—tailed \ˈtā(ə)ld\ adjective
—tail·less \ˈtā(ə)l-les\ adjective
Illustration of TAIL
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up tail? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).