valvula

noun

val·​vu·​la ˈval-vyə-lə 

plural valvulae ˈval-vyə-ˌlē 

-ˌlī

: a small valve or fold

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin, from Latin valva "leaf of a folding door" + -ula -ule — more at valve

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

valvula

noun

val·​vu·​la ˈval-vyə-lə 

plural valvulae

-ˌlē also -ˌlī

: a small valve or fold