158 GLOSSARY. 



Ve'sicle (L. vesicula, a little bladder). Applied to any small 



bladder-like body, as the umbilical vesicle which contains 



the food yolk. 

 Ve'sico-u'terine folds. Folds of peritoneum extending from 



the uterus to the urinary bladder. 

 Vesi'cula prosta'tica (L. the prostatic vesicle). A small body in 



the prostate gland considered to be a rudimentary uterus ; 



called also sinus pocularis. 

 Vesi'culsB semina'les (L. seminal vesicles). The receptacles of 



the semen, in which it lies for a longer or shorter period 



before being discharged. 

 Ves'tibule of the aorta (L. vestibuiujti,zn. entrance). A small 



cavity in the ventricle of the heart adjoining the root of 



the aorta. 

 Ves'tibule of the ear (L. vestibulum, an entrance). The part 



of the labyrinth of the ear into which the semicircular 



canals open. 

 Ves'tibule of the vul'va (L. vestibulum, an entrance). The 



angular interval between the nymphae. 

 Vesti'bulum (L. an entrance). The chamber in the Polyzoa 



into which the gullet and anus open. 

 Vexil'lum (L. a vane). The shaft of a bird's feather ; also the 



large uppermost petal at the back of a papilionaceous 



flower. 

 Vibra'cula (L. vibrare, to quiver). Whip-like appendages with 



which the cells of some Polyzoa are provided. 

 Vibris'sae (L. vibro, I shake). The hairs growing inside the 



nostrils ; so named because they vibrate when we breathe. 

 VFdian artery. A small branch of the inferior maxillary artery 



which occupies the Vidian canal. 

 Vi'dian canal. A small canal in the internal pterygoid plate of 



the sphenoid bone. 



Vi'dian nerve. A small nerve occupying the Vidian canal. 

 Villus (L. virtus, shaggy hair). A conical projection of the 



mucous membrane of the small intestine, containing blood- 

 vessels and lacteals. 

 Vin'cula accesso'ria ten'dinum (L. vinculum, a fetter ; accessio, 



an increase). Accessory fibres of the sheath of the flexor 



tendon of the fingers. 

 Vis a fron'te (L. force in front). A pulling force by which the 



flow of a fluid is assisted, as in the ascent of the sap in 



plants, where evaporation from the leaves acts as a vis 



afronte. 



