What does infundibulum mean?
An infundibulum is a funnel-shaped structure or passage. In anatomy, its best-known sense refers to the stalk that links the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland, allowing neural and vascular connections between them. The word can also describe other funnel-shaped cavities, openings, channels, or receptacles. It is most often encountered in medical and biological writing, where it functions as a precise technical term rather than a general synonym for funnel. Infundibulum is a Latin-derived word whose basic meaning was “funnel,” a sense preserved in English through cognates such as funnel. Its anatomical use reflects the gland’s shape and the passage-like arrangement of the structures involved. The plural is normally infundibula, a form especially common in anatomical descriptions.
nounA funnel-shaped anatomical structure, especially the narrow stalk that connects the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland. The term can also refer more generally to a funnel-shaped passage, cavity, or receptacle.
- The funnel-shaped stalk connecting the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland.
- A funnel-shaped anatomical passage, cavity, or opening.
- A funnel-shaped vessel or receptacle.
"The infundibulum forms the stalk connecting the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland."
"The infundibulum forms the stalk between the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland."
"The dye entered the upper chamber through a narrow infundibulum."
This is the standard plural in anatomical and scientific usage; plural forms ending in -ums are uncommon.
"The infundibula of the two sides were examined during the procedure."
Your pituitary gland hangs from a literal anatomical funnel: the infundibulum.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does infundibulum come from?
The word comes from Latin infundibulum, meaning “funnel,” which is associated with infundere, “to pour into.” Modern anatomical usage follows this classical sense, applying the word to a narrow, funnel-like part of a structure. English funnel is a related borrowing, while infuse and infusion come from the same Latin verbal root. The English medical noun entered usage through learned Latin and has remained especially associated with formal anatomy.
Related word forms
How infundibulum is actually used
This is primarily a formal anatomical and scientific term. In general writing, funnel, channel, or passage may be clearer depending on the context.