What does lobule mean?
A lobule is a small lobe or a subdivision of a larger lobe. The term is especially common in anatomy and medicine, where organs such as the lungs and liver are described as containing numerous small lobules. Each lobule may have its own particular arrangement of blood vessels, nerves, ducts, or other structures. More broadly, the word can refer to a small rounded projection or segment, including in botanical descriptions. It is a technical term rather than everyday vocabulary, but it provides a useful way to distinguish a small structural unit from the larger lobe that contains it.
nounA small lobe or a subdivision of a lobe, especially in anatomy. The term is used for structures such as the small divisions of the liver, lungs, glands, and spleen.
- A small lobe or a subdivision of a larger lobe, especially of an organ.
- A small rounded projection or segment, particularly in botany and anatomy.
"Each pulmonary lobule contains a small cluster of bronchioles and air sacs."
"The lesion was confined to a single lobule of the right lung."
"In botany, a lobule may form part of the margin of a leaf."
The plural is commonly used when referring to the numerous small subdivisions of an organ.
"The scan revealed several abnormal lobules in both lungs."
A lobule is a tiny anatomical neighborhood: the body’s larger lobes are divided into smaller, specialized subunits.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does lobule come from?
The word comes from Latin lobulus, a diminutive of lobus, meaning “lobe” or “division.” It entered English in the seventeenth century and was initially used especially in anatomical contexts. The same Latin root also underlies lobe, lobar, and lobular.
Related word forms
How lobule is actually used
The word is primarily technical and is most common in anatomy, medicine, and botany. It is more specific than “part” and should not be used as a general substitute for any small division.