What does auriculae mean?
"Auriculae" is the Latin-style plural of "auricula," itself a diminutive of the Latin noun "auris," meaning ear. The word denotes small, ear-shaped structures, and it survives today mainly in technical writing. In human and veterinary anatomy, the auriculae are the wrinkled, pouch-like appendages projecting from the atria of the heart, sometimes called atrial appendages or auricles; in botany and zoology the term describes various ear-like lobes or flaps, such as projections at the base of certain leaves. Because English typically prefers the anglicized forms "auricle" and "auricles," the Latinate "auriculae" appears chiefly in scholarly texts, historical anatomical nomenclature, and taxonomic description. It carries a formal, classical register and should be reserved for contexts where precise, Latinate terminology is expected rather than everyday communication.
nounThe Latin-derived plural of "auricula," denoting ear-shaped structures, especially the small appendages (auricles) of the heart's atria or other anatomically ear-like parts.
- Anatomy: the ear-shaped appendages of the atria of the heart (plural of auricula).
- Botany/Zoology: ear-like lobes, appendages, or projections on plants or animals (plural of auricula).
"The surgeon carefully examined both auriculae for signs of thrombus formation."
"Blood clots most commonly originate in the left auriculae during atrial fibrillation."
"The leaf bases bear small auriculae that clasp the stem."
"Auriculae" is already a plural (the Latin nominative plural); the singular is "auricula." An anglicized plural, "auriculas," also occurs, especially in botanical usage referring to multiple auricula primroses.
"Both auriculae were free of thrombus at autopsy."
From the Latin word for "little ear," auriculae names the tiny ear-flaps your heart's atria wear — proof that even your heart has ears.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of auriculae
The word descends from Latin "auricula," a diminutive of "auris" meaning ear, literally a "little ear." It entered English scholarly and scientific vocabulary through post-classical Latin, where it named both ear-shaped anatomical structures and, by extension, the alpine primrose with ear-shaped petals. Its cognates include the anglicized "auricle" and the adjective "auricular," both built on the same Latin root and widely used in medicine and music theory.
Related word forms
How auriculae is actually used
Highly technical and rare in general usage; found almost exclusively in anatomical, botanical, and zoological literature. In modern English anatomy, the anglicized "auricles" is far more common than the Latin plural "auriculae."
Easily confused with auriculae
"Auricle" is the standard singular English anatomical term for an ear-shaped structure such as an atrial appendage, whereas "auricula" is a Latinate singular whose plural is "auriculae" and which more often refers to botanical contexts.
"Auricula" is the singular form (often naming the alpine primrose Primula auricula), while "auriculae" is its plural.