Follicles
Follicles
Follicles (/fɒlɪkəlz/), derived from the Latin word folliculus, meaning "small bag", are small secretory cavities, sacs, or glands that are found in various parts of the body. They play a crucial role in many biological processes, including the production and release of hormones and the growth of hair.
Etymology
The term "follicle" is derived from the Latin word folliculus, which translates to "small bag". This is a reference to the sac-like structure of the follicle.
Types of Follicles
There are several types of follicles found in the human body, including:
- Hair follicle: A part of the skin that grows hair by packing old cells together.
- Ovarian follicle: A fluid-filled sac that contains an immature egg, or oocyte.
- Thyroid follicle: A small, spherical group of cells found in the thyroid gland that produce and store thyroid hormones.
- Lymph follicle: A small, round mass of lymphatic tissue found in the lymph nodes and other lymphoid organs.
Related Terms
- Folliculitis: An inflammation or infection of the hair follicles.
- Follicular phase: The first half of the menstrual cycle, during which a follicle in the ovary matures.
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): A hormone produced by the pituitary gland that stimulates the growth of follicles in the ovaries and regulates the menstrual cycle.
- Follicular unit: A small, naturally occurring group of hair follicles that grow together.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Follicles
- Wikipedia's article - Follicles
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