tubercle

noun

tu·​ber·​cle ˈtü-bər-kəl 

ˈtyü-

1

: a small knobby prominence or excrescence especially on a plant or animal : nodule: such as

a

: a protuberance near the head of a rib that articulates with the transverse process of a vertebra

b

: any of several prominences in the central nervous system

c

: nodule sense b

2

: a small abnormal discrete lump in the substance of an organ or in the skin

especially : the specific lesion of tuberculosis

Examples of tubercle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

However, popping Montgomery tubercles may cause infections. —Dr. Roshini Raj, Health, 26 May 2023

Well, Montgomery tubercles can appear a lot like those bumps. —Dr. Roshini Raj, Health, 26 May 2023

This suggests the glowing tubercle patterns are some sort of signal. —Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 30 Jan. 2018

In ducks, Bmp4 was only active at the base of the tubercle. —Carrie Arnold, Discover Magazine, 6 June 2013

Vaginal orgasm is more prevalent among women with a prominent tubercle of the upper lip. —Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 28 June 2011

The clunk of the mug hitting the desk produced a spike in the mice's olfactory tubercle activity. —Smriti Rao, Discover Magazine, 25 Feb. 2010

Voight and colleagues then studied the animals' physical structures, including their arm suckers, warts, and tubercles, or little bumps inside the warts that give them texture. —Liz Langley, National Geographic, 8 Oct. 2019

In turn, the ruptured tubercles attract dissolved copper, spurring a chemical reaction that can pit and weaken the surrounding steel. —Peter Passi / Forum News Service, Twin Cities, 5 Sep. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Latin tuberculum, diminutive of tuber

First Known Use

1556, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tubercle

• tubercle bacillus

Kids Definition

tubercle

noun

tu·​ber·​cle ˈt(y)ü-bər-kəl 

1

: a small knobby lump or outgrowth especially on a plant or animal

2

: a small diseased growth in an organ or on the skin

especially : one caused by tuberculosis

Medical Definition

tubercle

noun

tu·​ber·​cle ˈt(y)ü-bər-kəl 

1

: a small knobby prominence or excrescence: as

a

: a prominence on the crown of a molar tooth

b

: a small rough prominence (as the greater tubercle or adductor tubercle) on a bone usually being smaller than a tuberosity and serving for the attachment of one or more muscles or ligaments

c

: an eminence near the head of a rib that articulates with the transverse process of a vertebra

d

: any of several prominences (as the acoustic tubercle) in the central nervous system that mark the nuclei of various nerves

2

: a small discrete lump in the substance of an organ or in the skin

especially : the specific lesion of tuberculosis consisting of a packed mass of epithelioid cells, giant cells, disintegration products of white blood cells and bacilli, and usually a necrotic center