mammillary

adjective

mam·​mil·​la·​ry ˈma-mə-ˌler-ē  ma-ˈmi-lə-rē 

variants or mamillary

1

: of, relating to, or affecting a nipple, breast, or duct of the mammary gland

mammillary tissue

a mammillary fistula

2

a

: resembling a breast or nipple especially in having a rounded shape

the mammillary process of a lumbar vertebra

b

: studded with breast-shaped protuberances

mammillary forms of agate

3

: of or relating to a mammillary body

the mammillary region of the brain

mammillary nuclei

Examples of mammillary in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For example: The Rorschach task strongly activated the anterior section of the thalamus, a large portion of the pulvinar, and part of the mammillary bodies. —Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 20 Feb. 2017

Word History

Etymology

earlier mammillar "shaped like a nipple" (borrowed from Medieval Latin mammillāris, from Latin mammilla, mamilla "breast, nipple"—diminutive of mamma "breast"—+ -āris -ar) + -ary entry 2 — more at mamma entry 1

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing mammillary

• mammillary body

Medical Definition

mammillary

adjective

mam·​mil·​la·​ry

variants or mamillary

ˈmam-ə-ˌler-ē  ma-ˈmil-ə-rē 

1

: of, relating to, or affecting a nipple, breast, or duct of the mammary gland

mammillary tissue

a mammillary fistula

2

: resembling a breast or nipple especially in having a rounded shape

the mammillary process of a lumbar vertebra

3

: of or relating to a mammillary body

the mammillary region of the brain

mammillary nuclei