What does caruncle mean?
A caruncle is a small, fleshy outgrowth or protuberance found on the bodies of animals or on plants. The word appears most often in technical and scientific writing. In anatomy, it names structures such as the lacrimal caruncle — the tiny pink bump visible in the inner corner of each human eye. In ornithology, caruncles are the bare, brightly colored fleshy growths on birds like turkeys, where they appear as bumpy patches on the head and neck alongside the comb and wattle. Botanists use caruncle for a fleshy appendage attached to certain seeds; the castor oil plant's seed bears one, and ants are drawn to these structures, helping to spread the seeds. Derived from a Latin root meaning a piece of raw flesh, the term has no emotional charge and is best understood simply as a precise label. It is not part of casual conversation but is useful when describing biological detail with accuracy.
nounA small fleshy outgrowth or protuberance, especially on a plant or animal. In birds, it refers specifically to the bare, often brightly colored fleshy growths such as the wattle or comb.
- A small fleshy excrescence on an animal, especially the wattles or combs of birds.
- A similar fleshy outgrowth on a plant, such as the oily appendage on some seeds.
- In anatomy, a specific structure such as the lacrimal caruncle at the inner corner of the eye.
"The turkey's vivid red caruncles gave its neck a striking, textured appearance."
"The physician noted the small lacrimal caruncle in the inner corner of the patient's eye during examination."
"Certain tropical seeds bear a fleshy caruncle that attracts ants, which then disperse the seed."
Standard pluralization; used freely across all senses.
"The bird displayed vivid caruncles along its neck."
The same word that names the tiny pink bump in the corner of your eye also describes the bright red lumps on a turkey's face.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of caruncle
Caruncle comes from the Latin caruncula, a diminutive of caro, meaning flesh — literally 'a little piece of flesh.' The word entered English in the early modern period, around the early seventeenth century, initially in anatomical usage before extending to zoology and botany. Its Latin root caro also gives us words such as carnivore and carnal, all sharing the sense of 'flesh.'
Related word forms
How caruncle is actually used
Caruncle is primarily used in technical contexts — ornithology, botany, anatomy — rather than everyday speech. It carries no strong connotation beyond its descriptive, clinical tone. Plural: caruncles.
Easily confused with caruncle
A carbuncle is either a cluster of infected boils on the skin or (archaically) a red gemstone, whereas a caruncle is a harmless small fleshy outgrowth.