1. Any t., or taillike structure, or tapering or elongated extremity of an organ or other part. SYN: cauda [TA]. 2. In veterinary anatomy, a free appendage representing the caudal end of the vertebral column; covered by skin and hair, feathers, or scales. [A.S. taegl]
- t. of caudate nucleus [TA] the elongated posterior extension of the caudate nucleus that parallels the body and inferior horn of the lateral ventricle. SYN: cauda nuclei caudati [TA], cauda striati.
- t. of epididymis [TA] the inferior part of the epididymis that leads into the ductus deferens; part of the reservoir of spermatozoa. SYN: cauda epididymidis [TA], cauda epididymis, globus minor.
- t. of helix [TA] a flattened process terminating the cartilage of the helix of the ear, posteriorly and inferiorly. SYN: cauda helicis [TA].
- t. of pancreas [TA] the left extremity of the pancreas within the lienorenal ligament. SYN: cauda pancreatis [TA].
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tail 'tā(ə)l n, often attrib
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 esp 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 'tā(ə)ld adj
tail·less 'tā(ə)l-les adj
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(tāl) [L. cauda; Gr. oura] 1. any slender appendage; called also cauda [TA]. 2. the appendage that extends from the posterior trunk of animals.Medical dictionary. 2011.